Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004
380 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding spent on preventive health in 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively; the percentage of the total expenditure on health that this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20475/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe published Revised Estimates for Public Services contain an appendix outlining estimated current health expenditure categorised by programme and service. These categories include community protection, community health services, community welfare, mental health, disability, general hospital and general support programmes. It is the community protection section which includes figures on expenditure in the area of preventive health. The programme is broken down into five topics: prevention of infectious disease, child health examination, food hygiene and standards, health promotion and other preventative services.
The following table outlines the amount of community protection expenditure for the years 2001 to 2004 and also shows how this expenditure compares with the total gross current expenditure for those years. It should be noted that the 2001 provision for community protection includes once-off funding in respect of the introduction of the meningococcal group C vaccination programme. This funding related to the catch-up programme for the zero to 24 year old age group which ran between October 2000 and early 2002. The meningococcal group C vaccine is now incorporated into the general vaccination programme for all children.
While the expenditure is increasing, the percentage is down due to high overall level of expenditure increase year on year.
|
Year |
Expenditure on Community Protection Programme (Provisional Outturn) |
Gross Current Total Expenditure |
Community Protection Programme expenditure as % of Gross Current Total |
|
€m |
€m |
% |
|
|
2001 |
314.306 |
7,010.050 |
4.5 |
|
2002 |
275.255 |
8,166.738 |
3.4 |
|
2003 |
302.234 |
9,117.425 |
3.3 |
|
2004 (estimated) |
333.536 |
9,890.963 |
3.4 |
Source: Revised Estimates for Public Services 2002-2004
