Republican News · Thursday 23 January 2003

NEHB Service Plan rejected

Commenting on the rejection by the North Eastern Health Board of the Service Plan for 2003, Health Board member and Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD, said it gives the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, the opportunity to restore services at Monaghan and Dundalk hospitals. Ó Caoláin said:

"Under the 1996 Health Act the Minister is empowered to require the Chief Executive of the Health Board to prepare and submit a Service Plan if the Board fails to adopt a plan within a given period. Following the rejection of the Service Plan by the North Eastern Health Board the Minister should now provide the necessary increased funding and require the Chief Executive Officer to prepare and submit an amended plan which would restore maternity, accident and emergency and other lost services to Monaghan and Dundalk hospitals."

Ó Caoláin seconded the motion for rejection of the Service Plan presented by the CEO to Monday's Health Board meeting.

"The Service Plan has been quite rightly rejected as it does not meet the growing needs of the people of the North-East region comprising Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath," he said. "The budget allocated by the Minister for Health and Children is totally inadequate. The region has the lowest per capita funding of the 11 health board areas in this State. The 10% increase sought by the Board from the Minister is the minimum required.

"This is not just a funding issue. I voted against the plan also because of the proposed deployment of resources. The Plan fails to provide for the restoration of essential services to Monaghan and Dundalk hospitals."