asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on health by central Government and local authorities each year since 1960; and the total expenditure as a percentage of GNP and per head of population for each year.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

NOTE: Central Government Expenditure includes grants to health authorities, payments to voluntary hospitals on foot of annual deficits and administration and other expenses of the Department of Health.