Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join the Minister in wishing Ms Norah Gibbons every success in her new role and responsibilities. I welcome her appointment.

The Minister used the phrase "this Dáil term" with reference to the legislation. However, one of her Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, also used that phrase in response to questions I posed to him on a different matter, that is, the White Paper on universal health insurance. I asked him, because this response was coming back, what he actually meant by "this Dáil term". He said he understood it to mean the lifetime of the current Dáil, that is, a five-year period of time. That exchange is on the record of the House. Language is so important in establishing clarity. I would say "this Dáil session", perhaps, might better indicate what I hope is the Minister's intention.

I have tabled this question again, not because I want to do this month on month and to harangue the Minister with regard to the child and family agency but because I wish to share with her the fact that I attended the HSE Dublin north-east regional service plan briefing on Friday, 8 March in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

During the course of the briefing, which was also attended by other colleagues and representatives of all parties, it was indicated to us by the regional manager at the time - just over a month ago - that the agency would be in situby January next year. I had hoped it would be in situby January this year, and as we know that was the anticipated commencement time. There was an expectation of seeing the new agency up and running.

Will the Minister clarify the matter absolutely, as sought in the question? There may be issues of drafting and a myriad of other issues but we know the establishment will be the single biggest change in Departments. The new agency will have over 4,000 staff and we are not at all beyond understanding the big challenge involved but we need to know for sure how it will happen. Rather than a piecemeal approach, it would be better to advise whether Mr. Mulvany's indication has validity or if there is expectation of earlier action.

Members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children have been lobbied by those concerned about child and adolescent mental health services so what is the position with regard to psychologists and the possible transfer from an existing arrangement within the HSE? These professionals may be removed from their cohorts to the new agency and department. Will the Minister give a brief indication of the position of public health nurses, as nurses where I come from have a very different range of roles and responsibilities in reality than those operating within the larger urban areas?

See this speech in context