To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in (i) fuel costs; and (ii) fuel duty on the departmental budget and the realisation of efficiency targets; and what action he has taken to mitigate against these increased costs.

I recognise that it is important that all practicable steps are taken to ensure that the recent increases in fuel and duty costs have minimal impact on the provision of health and social care services. My Department is currently considering the impact of the recent increases on the Departmental budget.

It is an integral part of the financial management of health and social care facilities and services that all cost increases, whether or not they are foreseeable, are managed within available resources.

Similarly all organisations will be expected to achieve the levels of efficiencies to which they have committed, irrespective of fluctuations in particular cost categories. I am determined that, when delivering these efficiencies, the quality of services to patients and clients is to be maintained or improved and targeted to those most in need.