Madam, - There has been a lot of misinformation over recent weeks about our health service.
The estimate for the Department of Health and Children in 2003 is over €9,158 million. This includes capital funding of €514 million and non-capital funding of €8,644 million. Non-capital funding is further broken down into non-pay funding of €2,620 million and a pay element of €6,024 million.
Some 83 per cent of all staff are employed in front-line activities and their wages are in the region of €5 billion. The bottom line is that not enough money is being spent on services. Hence waiting lists and ward closures.
This Government is going to have to make tough decisions or we all lose. It has to invest in our health service and make it more efficient.
We have had enough reports and health strategies. Our people want action. - Yours, etc.,
FINIAN McGRATH, TD, Independent, Dublin North Central, Dáil Éireann, Baile Átha Cliath, 2.