Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

No, not since the budget. I do not agree with the Deputy that the process of Cabinet sub-committees is not effective. It is probably the most effective process I have seen in my time in the House in that it brings under the imprimatur of the Department of the Taoiseach the requirement for decisions to be made and timelined. This is very important within the whole process of setting up transition teams to deal with the consequences of people retiring under the public service embargo from a range of areas, be they health, justice, education, or whatever. It includes, in regard to the issues in the health service, for example, redeployment, consolidation of clinical management roles, reorganisation of services, changing of staff rosters and finding a more appropriate skill mix. Being a former Minister for Health, the Deputy is well aware that all these areas present complications, depending on the specialist nature involved, the location or the teams to be set up. People have changed rosters, moved locations, postponed leave and worked additional hours for time off in the context of their personal agreements under the Croke Park agreement.

In regard to the committee on social policy, a number of issues have been dealt with.

These include the launch of the report of the national substance misuse strategy steering group, with an expected completion date of the summer. Preparation of the care strategy, which has been around for a long time, is well advanced. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, expects to bring it to the Cabinet before too long. Tackling homelessness and taking the approach that money follows the client for the delivery of services to those experiencing homelessness was announced last November. That project is proceeding. The value for money review of the disability services is due for completion in the first half of 2012, which is relevant to the questions asked already. The report of the expert reference group on disability policy will be submitted to the Government within the same timeframe. Preparation for the children's rights referendum is on target and the free school year has been maintained. An allocation of additional funding of €1 million was made this year to address the needs of children with autism and a further €1 million will follow in each of the next two years. The forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector was launched in April 2011 and will be before the Cabinet shortly. This morning, the Government noted the report from the ESRI and the sub-committee will deal with it at its next meeting. I cannot yet confirm the agenda. Agreement was reached with NAMA to make available 2,000 properties for the purpose of social housing through leasing arrangements. The taskforce on the child and family support agency was established. These are important issues that were dealt with and considered through the Cabinet sub-committee on social policy. These topics cover a broad spectrum.

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