Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board's Financial Liabilities.

Peter Barry

Question:

187 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health the reason he has not supplied Deputy Peter Barry with the information promised by way of an answer to parliamentary question No. 296 of 24 October 1989, concerning health boards' financial liabilities, despite having been reminded on 5 December 1989, 8 January 1990 and 10 April 1990.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Deputy will appreciate that much of the information requested by him last October was not readily available and also involved a considerable amount of information gathering from the relevant agencies. However, details in regard to the bank overdraft position for each health board for 1987, 1988 and 1989 were supplied to the Deputy in reply to his parliamentary question last October; the position regarding individuals was also explained in that reply. In regard to the traders and private companies the following is the position:

Health Board	31 August
1987£ million	1988£ million	1989£ million
Eastern	11.3	13.7	15.0
Midland	2.8	5.0	4.6
Mid-Western	1.8	3.3	4.7
North-Eastern	1.6	1.5	1.5
North-Western	1.6	1.9	1.7
South-Eastern	3.7	4.2	3.8
Southern	5.0	5.7	6.0
Western	3.8	4.3	3.7

It should be noted, in comparing the above figures, year to year, that the amount outstanding to creditors on any given date is a function of the timing of payments rather than an indication of financial performance.