asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Midland Health Board will be short £1.9 million in their allocation for 1985; and if he will make a statement on the cutbacks he proposes to introduce in the Midland Health Board area.

The Midland Health Board have adopted a package of proposals which provides for the rationalisation of services in their area. The package takes account of the approved allocation level for 1985 and the likely level of available resources in subsequent years.

Has the chief executive officer of the Midland Health Board informed the Minister and the board that he will be able to provide the same level of service as last year and that there will be no cutback in any of the services in the board area this year as a result of the shortfall of £1.9 million?

I assure the Deputy that, on the basis of the implementation of the rationalisation proposals for the area, the health board have assured me that they will remain within the approved level of expenditure for 1985, 1986 and 1987.

There are no rationalisation proposals at this time. What I am asking is if the health board will be able to keep the level of services in their area at the same level as last year? That is what I want to know. The answer is a simple "yes" or "no". Will the Minister guarantee that there will be no closure of any day care centre, clinic or otherwise which we had in the board area last year? It is a simple question.

There is no simplicity in the health services. The health board put forward a package in relation to the hospital services and other services in their area. It is a comprehensive package which is very detailed. As far as I am aware, the Deputy knows about that, but if he does not I can make the package available to him.

That refers to Question No. 3 and and Question No. 2.

On the basis of the package being approved — I have approved it in principle — the health board assure me that they will be able to maintain a full level of service for the population of the Midland Health Board area.

The Minister stated that he approves of the entire package in principle. Does that allow for his statement in the House two weeks ago on an Adjournment debate when he said that he would have a further review of the proposals? He said that in front of his Labour Party colleagues in the Gallery.

The only outstanding issue in relation to the package is one of further consultations between my Department and the CEO of the health board to ensure that accident coverage in the Athlone area in relation to ambulance services is effective. That has been the subject of review. In consultation with the health board I hope to make an improvement in that aspect of the health board's services. That apart, the totality of the package proposed by the health board has been accepted by me and will be implemented.

Athlone is to get an improved ambulance service and nothing else out of the Minister's review of the rationalisation proposals?

The review has taken place. As I indicated when I spoke in Mullingar on 18 February, the entire package put forward by an overwhelming majority of the members has been accepted by me and is now being implemented.

Athlone is to get nothing.

In regard to the allocation to the Midland Health Board area, my information is that in this financial year they will not be able to maintain the same level of service as last year. Is that right or wrong?

It is wrong. The non-capital allocation for the health board this year is £55.2 million as compared with £52.485 million last year. The health board are confident that, on the basis of implementing that package in 1985, they will remain within the overall approved level of allocation and, if anything, the service will improve considerably.

How does the Minister propose that the Midland Health Board will eliminate their deficit?

By implementing the package relating to the various hospitals and to the rationalisation of services, the Midland Health Board assured me that the savings will be very substantial.

There will be no deficit?

Furthermore, the concentration of the maternity and paediatric services in Portlaoise and Mullingar saves a considerable amount of money and is entirely rational and beneficial in terms of the provision of services in the midlands. I am the first Minister for Health in the history of this State who has sanctioned two paediatric consultant posts in the midlands, which was a disgrace up to now.

I asked about the deficit.

For the first time in the history of the midlands children when born will have the services available and we will not have a fractionalisation and a multiplicity of services in Portlaoise, Tullamore and Mullingar.

Athlone does not love the Minister.

This will be of enormous benefit. I am very pleased that I got great support from the members of the health board on this question.

And the chief executive officer.

He is one of the best in the country.

He answered the minute the Minister called.