OVER £100, 000 more was spent by the Western Trust than had been anticipated during the G8 summit in June.
The cost of maintaining health services during that period came in at £561, 856, higher than the projected costs of £415, 000.
In an answer provided to local Sinn Fein MLA Phil Flanagan at the Stormont assembly by health minister, Edwin Poots, the minister noted that the initial projected amount was secured and allocated by the HSC Board to the Western Trust.
It also read: “Costs incurred by the Western Trust were in the main staffing costs across a range of services, including medical, nursing, pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, older people, mental health and women & children. There were also costs associated with providing support services, ICT, Estates and general preparedness such as on call arrangements, training equipment, signage and relocation of services.
“On evaluation of the full costs associated with preparedness for the Summit, the Western Trust has advised the HSC Board that it incurred costs in the region of £561,856. The additional costs are currently being considered by the HSC Board as a funding pressure.”
The MLA responsible for the question, Mr Flanagan, then reiterated his appeal for the costs of the G8 to be borne by the UK government – and not local government and executive departments.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: “The costs incurred by the Western Trust to prepare for every potential outcome of the G8 are shocking. But what is deeply worrying is that despite the serious financial difficulties currently facing the Trust, it is expected to meet these costs without any external support, which is wholly unacceptable.
He added: “The G8 was the plaything of the British government; we had no say in it at all. We heard proposals of new bridges and waterparks being funded by the British government. It now transpires that the British government isn’t even meeting the costs of hosting the G8, let alone giving the people of Fermanagh a positive legacy.
“The British government needs to accept responsibility for this event. From the start, I cautioned that the logic behind David Cameron locating this event in Fermanagh was to evade paying the bill for it taking place. It now appears that was, in part at least, the motivation behind the decision.”
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