Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost of the operation of the health service annually at present; the cost of the services in 1992; the comparison between the current cost and those applicable in 1992; the range of services, hospital beds, staffing levels applicable at that time in comparison with the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26699/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government allocated over €15.5 billion for health services in the Estimates for 2009 (Votes 39 and 40). In 1992, €2.1 billion (£1.7 billion) was provided by Government. There has been substantial investment in the health services in recent years. This year health spending will represent nearly 30% of gross current expenditure.

In accordance with the legislation, which includes the Health Acts, governing the provision of health services by the former health boards and subsequently the HSE, a wide range of services are provided including services for people with disabilities, acute services, long term services, primary, community and continuing care and mental health services. The figures in relation to public health service employment, excluding home helps and expressed as wholetime equivalents (WTEs) are set out in the following table:

Source: Health Service Personnel Census.

There are difficulties in making a direct comparison between the 1992 and 2009 public health service employment figures because the methodology used to compiled this data has changed over the years.

The increased expenditure has taken place in the context of major demographic change affecting both the size and the composition of the population. It is estimated that the population has increased by 13% since 2002. There are now 45,000 more persons over the age of 65 than there were in 2002 and fertility rates continue to increase and are significantly higher than any other country in Europe. While increased expenditure was required to meet the increased cost of providing health services, particularly in the areas of pay and demand led schemes, it should be noted that since 2002 an additional of €2.7 billion was allocated to strengthen and develop services, particularly in the areas of services for people with disabilities, services for older people and acute hospital care.

The health status of the population has improved at an unprecedented rate. In the decade up to 2006 Ireland had moved from a position where life expectancy was 2 years below the EU average to a position where it is now a year above it. The factors contributing to this achievement were reductions in mortality rates from diseases of the circulatory system and significant reductions in other causes of death such as cancer, accidents and infectious diseases. There has also been a marked decline in infant mortality which is now well below the EU average.

While there are a number of contributing factors to the improvement in the health status of the population and the increased life expectancy, the significant investment in the health services in recent years has been a major contributing factor to these improvements and to closing the difference in health status with the best in Europe.