asked the Minister for Health if a restraint on Government expenditure on health is being considered.

The Exchequer's non-capital contribution towards the cost of health services in 1978 provides for the maintenance of the services in general at 1977 levels and includes an additional amount of £10.5 million for certain improvements and developments of health services involving the creation of about 2,400 extra jobs. There is no question of the curtailment of this programme.

The capital allocation for the health services is £20.5 million for 1978 as compared with £16 million for 1977. The increase in the allocation provides for the commencement of a wide-ranging programme of hospital building giving rise to about 450 extra jobs in 1978.

The Exchequer provision for the health services for 1979 will be a matter for determination by the Government at the appropriate time.

Arising out of the Minister's non-reply, is the Minister aware that there has been a suggestion made that there may be restraint in spending on health on the part of the Government?

I have indicated that the expenditure on health this year is at an unprecedented level.

Is the Minister not aware that the Minister for Economic Planning and Development is on record in the public press, which I notice the Minister has a photocopy of, as suggesting that the Government were considering restraint in the non job-producing areas and that he instanced health as being one of those areas?

The expenditure this year on the health services is at a record level. There is approximately——

Am I ever going to get an answer to my question?

——£10½ million for improvements in the health services. The capital allocation for the health services is £20½ million compared with £16 million in 1977. We are undertaking every capital project which is available to us this year. As I have indicated, the expenditure on the health services will be considered in the normal way in due course by the Government.

Is the Minister aware that his colleague, the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, has suggested in the public press that the Government are considering restraint in the non job-producing areas and that he instanced health as being one of those areas?

Order, please. If the Deputy continues to ask questions leading to argument I will have no option but to rule him out of order.

I have not had an answer to my supplementary.

Deputy Cluskey.

I have not received an answer to my supplementary.

I am calling Deputy Cluskey.

I asked if the Minister was aware that the Minister for Economic Planning and Development has stated in the public press that the Government are considering restraints in the non job-producing areas and that he instanced health as being one of the areas under consideration.

Deputy Cluskey.

I do not like arguing with the Chair, but surely I am entitled to an answer?

The Chair will act in accordance with the best interests of the House.

The Minister has stated the position regarding the allocation for the health services this year. In view of the Taoiseach's speech of last week and of the statement made by the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, does the Minister now accept that there will be a cut in the expenditure of both his Departments?

No.

Can the Minister say if a cut in expenditure in both his Departments is at the moment being considered by the Government?

Certainly not.

Is the Minister going to give me the courtesy of a reply?

The Minister's reply seems to have answered both supplementaries.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of all the Minister's replies today, I propose, with the consent of the Chair, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I will communicate with the Deputy.

When the Minister states there is no such consideration being given, is the Minister indicating that both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Economic Planning and Development were misleading the public?

I am not making any such indication. My responsibilities are the Estimates for my two Departments. We are talking about the Department of Health and I have been asked about the expenditure of the Department of Health. I have said that this year it is at an all-time record, which, I think, the Deputy will accept. I have also indicated that the Estimates for my Department for 1979 will be dealt with in the normal way and that no question of a cut-back in the health services is contemplated.

Has the Minister not read the article by the Minister for Economic Planning and Development?

How can he reconcile his statement in the House now with the speech by the Taoiseach and the speech by the Minister for Economic Planning and Development?

(Cavan-Monaghan): Could I have an assurance from the Minister that there is no proposal to cut back or slow down the hospital programme as planned?

I can give the Deputy a categorical assurance on that. We are intending to press ahead even more rapidly.

Order, please. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.