asked the Minister for Health the date on which prior year balance payments were made to each health board for 1985; and if it is intended that these balances for 1986 be paid in January 1987.

It is customary to make substantial payments to health boards in respect of prior years in January of the following year and to make further payments in subsequent months.

In 1986, balances were paid to each health board in respect of 1985 as follows:—

In January 1987, as in previous years, grants will be paid in respect of prior years to health boards.