117 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce a supplementary estimate to meet the budget deficits of health boards; the extent of the overruns on allocated expenditure for each health board for the first six months of 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

136 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to deal with the massive overrun in spending by health boards this year which shows that health services are heading for a deficit of £40 million in 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I will be seeking a Supplementary Estimate to cover expenditure incurred by the boards which could not be provided for in their original non-capital allocations or has resulted from increased costs on demand led schemes. The extent of the Supplementary Estimate cannot be finalised until further information is available on certain aspects of the expenditure.

The main items coming within the scope of the Supplementary Estimate will be:

—General Medical Services Scheme, mainly increased cost of drugs;