Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the regional business plans, quite clearly what is intended is that the HSE service plan which has been published requires a working out at regional level and obviously that work is still ongoing. It was not done by the end of January, but its completion is imminent and will be dealt with in due course. I accept it is two weeks since the end of January, but I am sure the issues will be resolved and dealt with in early course. I have some sympathy with the Deputy with regard to the nomenclature and different types of plans. It is important to know the work is done in an efficient manner. I am aware it is close to completion and people are working carefully on it.

With regard to the final issue the Deputy touched on, it would not be appropriate to give too much detail on some proposals. However, the sums it is proposed on local schemes will be achieved by ensuring the process for managing the schemes is more streamlined and undertaken in a consistent and standardised way across the country. This means the focus will be on providing appropriate services and commodities. It is intended that this budget reduction will have no impact on patient services.

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