Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A number of the recommendations in the report relate to the Department of Health and Children. The action plans are set out and are part of the process. The specific issue regarding a better allocation of work and assignments within the Department of Health and Children is a matter of priority and the recommendation in this regard has been taken very seriously. I expect that the project team will have completed the work designed to improve the situation by the end of the year. In the context of encouraging greater clarity between the agencies, we also expect the relevant work to be completed by the end of the year. I am not stating that all of this work will be done by the end of the year but I am satisfied that several priority areas have been identified. I am confident that what I have outlined will be done.

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