Dr. Tony Holohan:

Yes, the pathway is in place. The pathway essentially comprises the capacity needed at national level, which we have, and the capacity needed at the level of each individual group. I have said to this committee before that the most important place to put our capacity, in terms of people working on patient safety, is at the front line. One needs to have people who have expertise in these areas working on implementation.

I cannot tell the Deputy that the level of resources and capacity we have in this regard are sufficient for the plans we have, which is why we have an ongoing process of planning. Ultimately, that finds expression in the context of the Estimates each year. Each year, we have to make a case overall for whatever public funding is available to support implementation, not just of this measure but of everything else that has to happen through the health system. It is a matter of trying to ensure that adequate priority is given to this in line with all the competing interests.