Western Health group members claimed £47,000 in expenses

The Western Local Commissioning Group is responsible for addressing the care needs of the local population and comprises local politicians, community representatives, doctors, a dentist, a pharmacist and an optometrist.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey advised that last year members claimed a total of 47,405 in expenses in 2009/10 - an average of over 2,000 each.

Members are obliged to attend two meetings per month and are paid 156 for each meeting on top of their expenses claims.

The Minister revealed the information in response to a query tabled by DUP MLA George Robinson.

He explained: "Expenses associated with the Western Local Commissioning Group for the financial year 2009/10 amount to 47,405. Locum cover for independent practitioners accounts for the majority of these expenses. Significant expenditure is unlikely to have been incurred prior to this financial year."

The group is responsible for assessing health and social care needs; planning health and social care to meet current and emerging needs; and securing the delivery of health and social care to meet assessed needs.

Current members of the Western LCG are Dr Brendan O'Hare; Dr Kieran Deeny; Dr Eugene Deeny; Cllr Mark H Durkan; Mrs Jenny Irvine; Cllr Robert Irvine; Dr Jackie McCall; Dr Martin McCloskey; Mr Seamus McErlean; Mrs Clare McGartland; Ms Loretto McManus; Mr Eamon O'Kane; Mr Martin Quinn; Mr Graham Robinson; Cllr Bernice Swift; and Mr Paul Cavanagh.