asked the Minister for Health the response he intends to make to the recent representations made to him by the chief executives of the health boards; and if he accepts their claim that their budgets have been reduced by 11 per cent this year as a result of the Government cutbacks.

I have had a number of discussions with the chairmen and the chief executive officers of health boards in regard to the funding of non-capital health services in 1981. Taking account of certain economies achievable by the boards and additional income which will accrue to the boards in 1981, the allocations which I have approved should be sufficient to enable present health services levels to be maintained. I am not aware that the group of chief executive officers claimed that their budgets were reduced by 11 per cent this year and I can assure the Deputy that there has been no such reduction.