Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the changes the Minister is beginning to introduce in the system. The emphasis on existing service levels does not sufficiently acknowledge the need for innovation and change. I particularly welcome the Minister's ongoing commitment towards regional balance. We need some regional imbalance where extra expenditure is given to the regions. Many Departments have introduced programme budgeting but that is yet to happen in the Department of Health. In the context of the appointment of Robert Watt to the position of Secretary General in that Department and given Mr. Watt's background, is it the Minister's intention to see the introduction of programme budgeting in the Department of Health and greater alignment between the budget process in that Department, the Minister's Department and the HSE service plan?

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