53 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he is taking to address the serious funding crisis facing the five major acute hospitals in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area which are facing a combined shortfall of some ?67 million and which now threatens ward closures and cancellation of operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/02]

As the Deputy is aware, this is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore requested Mr. Donal O'Shea, chief executive officer of the ERHA, to contact the Deputy directly to furnish all the relevant information in relation to this issue. I understand the ERHA and the voluntary hospitals are continuing discussions in the matter.

54 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Dublin 8 major hospitals have not received funding budgets even though the second quarter of the financial year has commenced. [12601/02]

As the Deputy is aware, this is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore requested Mr. Donal O'Shea, chief executive officer of the ERHA, to contact the Deputy directly to furnish all the relevant information in relation to this issue. I understand the ERHA and the voluntary hospitals are continuing discussions in the matter.