Vol. 551 No. 2
275 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if the health boards will receive the full allocation indicated in the national development plan for health; if the actual allocation will differ from the indicative allocations; and the difference in each case. [10025/02]
At the commencement of the NDP, my Department notified indicative funding figures to the health boards for the years 2001-2006. Indicative figures were not given to the boards for 2000 as this was a transitional year to meet previous and ongoing capital commitments in the health sector. The indicative funding figures were prepared for major care programmes for each board for 2001-06 in line with a number of criteria.
The indicative funding figures were designed to assist boards plan a multi-annual capital programme in greater detail than previously, but were never intended to be year on year budget allocations.
While my Department is at present reviewing the NDP, it is intended that health boards will receive, in so far as is possible, the funding indicated to them over the life of the plan. However, it may be necessary to provide for annual adjustments for certain boards at particular times to cater for unforeseen circumstances which may arise such as changes in timing of projects, etc. which necessitate the need for annual review of plans and funding.
276 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he is proposing to take in view of the fact that the national development plan for health is facing a major crisis with one health board, that is, the Western Health Board, heading for ?54 million overspend in 2002; the meetings which have taken place between the Department and the health boards to review the plan; and the decisions which have been made regarding projects defined in the plan. [10026/02]
Following the first two years of health capital investment under the national development plan, my Department has commenced an extensive review nationally of the plan for the years 2002-6. This process involves a review by my Department with all health boards, including the Western Health Board, of approved expenditure projections. Until this process is completed, it is premature to comment on any one health board's spending projections.
The national development plan in the health sector has made significant progress with a wide range of projects at different levels of development in place throughout the country and I can assure the Deputy that all projects approved by my Department will continue to be funded under the plan.
