Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 March 2005
149 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total value and number of uncashed cheques issued by each health board in each of the past five years; the elements which are EU and State funds in each respective year; the purposes for which these funds are utilised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7276/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraCheques written and not presented for payment to a bank are cancelled out of date automatically after six months. In the matter of funding provided for the health services, approximately 83% of gross spending is Exchequer funding, with the remainder coming from health agencies income, which includes patient charges and payroll deductions, and appropriations-in-aid, mainly comprised health contributions, excise duty on tobacco and recovery of health service costs under EU regulations.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by my Department. Therefore, my Department has requested the chief officer of each of the executive's regional areas to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
