Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

Cabinet committee E met on 12 September. A date for the next meeting is not yet confirmed. Cabinet committee E covers issues relating to the health service. As well as addressing current issues and challenges faced by the health service, the Cabinet committee will oversee the development of the Government's response to the Sláintecare report.

As I have previously stated, the Government agrees with the broad principles of the Sláintecare report, which align well with current policy direction in many cases. However, as recognised by the Oireachtas joint committee, further work is required on the costings and practical implementation challenges. In addition, the Government needs to consider the phasing and sequencing of the recommendations, given budgetary and capacity constraints.

The Minister for Health is developing a reform roadmap in response to the Sláintecare report by the end of the year and, in parallel, is establishing a programme office and recruiting a lead executive as recommended by the committee. The work will be taken forward under the auspices of the Cabinet committee.

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