To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the additional funding for the enhancement of fertility counselling services announced by the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 17 September has been allocated to the Western Health Board area; and how much the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety allocated to each health board area for fertility counselling services in each of the last three years. (107031)

The additional £50,000 per annum was allocated specifically towards improving access to fertility counselling services in Northern Ireland and will be distributed to each of the four Health and Social Services Boards under the agreed capitation formula. Under that formula £8,575 will be allocated to the Western Board.

The Department has not previously identified specific funding for counselling. Counselling for people attending the regional fertility centre is provided as part of the total funding for fertility services in Northern Ireland.