Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Day Care Centres.

John Dennehy

Ceist:

286 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that the programme for the provision of day care centres was non-existent since the mid-1980s, he will consider extending the time period for the expenditure of funding provided under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, for such premises and not make the funding for these premises a first charge on health boards' budgets for 2001; if he will give cognisance to the difficulties being faced by health boards in regard to planning requirements, local funding and other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27603/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Day care centres encompass various health care programmes in the non-acute hospital sector such as those relating to disability services, services for older persons, child and family support services, etc. Health boards have primary responsibility for the prioritisation of capital funding provided to them. A significant increase is being provided under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, and this corresponds to approximately a trebling of investment over the previous seven year period.

In relation to the current year, it should be noted that capital funding provided under the NDP operates on an annual cash management basis. Any carry-over elements in respect of approved capital projects scheduled for this year must obviously be met by the appropriate health board and boards should therefore review their capital priorities for 2001 in the light of commitments carrying forward from previous years. My Department and the health boards take into account, on an ongoing basis, various issues relevant to the planning and delivery of capital pro jects such as those relating to planning permission, local funding sources, etc.