We are told that in the past few days most health boards have received letters of determination for the forthcoming year. There is a serious shortfall in the figures for every health board. The tragedy is that the people who will be hit hardest are those we are talking about today, those in greatest need of protection. When other services fail, the people resort to local level and the health board for additional resources to keep them going in time of crisis. Every family, be they in receipt of social welfare payments or otherwise, faces a crisis during their lifetime. Such people turn to social welfare officers for assistance. We are now told there will be no emergency funding for crises within the health boards. That is another serious blow to the expectations of those who will, tragically, find themselves in need during the coming year.