Mr. Paul Reid:

In a previous role in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform I was continuously dealing with the health sector and health budgets. I know the pressures on the sector. I know the pressures on front-line staff and managers. My role will be to support them. We must direct every cent into front-line services. As part of this process, we will have to evaluate non-value adding activities that we may be carrying out as part of the HSE overall structure and organisation. I intend to do that over the coming phase by looking at what activities we are doing that are drawing cash. If an activity is not adding value in terms of public service and patient service delivery, it is destroying value. We are going to have to look at all our overheads and costs as well.