58 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Health the cost of the nurses' pay award to each health board and to the Western Health Board; the amount of the cost which is being levied on the Western Health Board and each of the other health boards; and the effect this will have on the level of services provided by the Western Health Board and each of the other health boards to cover these costs. [11982/97]

Limerick East): All health agencies, including the Western Health Board, have been requested to submit detailed costings in respect of recently approved salary adjustments for nurses. These completed costings, which will reflect the particular staff profile in individual agencies have not all as yet been received. There are no adjustments planned in health funding which will involve cutbacks in the approved level of health services in 1997. The reduction recently agreed in respect of the Health Vote to assist in funding the costs of the pay settlement will be met essentially through increased efficiency measures spreaed over a number of programmes. My Department is at present in discussions with the boards and the major voluntary hospitals as to how these efficiencies can best be achieved.