Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates. Although the Deputy appealed to me not to trespass on her time and outline to the House the amount of expenditure that takes place on the subvention, I have to point out that expenditure on the scheme has increased from €5 million in 1993 to €140 million last year. I do not propose to go into the details of the last budget or the investment package there, however it involves substantial additional funding.

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