Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Services Investment.

John Gormley

Ceist:

992 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will send guidelines to health boards on priorities for cost cutting; his views on whether spending on items such as in-house magazines, for example the Eastern Regional Health Authority Times, should be cut before spending on patient facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15844/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

This year, investment in our health services is almost €8.2 billion, an increase of more than €1.1 billion over 2001 and an overall increase of nearly €4.7 billion or 134% since 1997.

In mid-July, health boards were advised of a range of measures to be taken to ensure that overall growth in health spending remained consistent with this approved increase. The €38 million saving sought was a minor one having regard to overall expenditure and of this saving, a significant amount was raised from additional income. In regard to the adjustment in employment growth which also formed part of the €38 million saving, all of the health boards were informed by my Department that this was to be undertaken in such a way as to have minimum impact on new and existing services.

The Deputy will be aware that each health board's service plan and its implementation is a matter for that board and its management team, which is best placed to make appropriate decisions having regard to issues on the ground. These functions are set out in the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1996 – accountability legislation. It would be inappropriate for me to become involved in such decisions.