Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is important in terms of the improvement and enhancement of our health services. It is very much grounded in recruiting expertise and personnel. Since 2020, a net 15,000 personnel have been recruited to the health service, which is the highest ever number recruited in the HSE since its establishment or indeed in the health service. Huge numbers have come in. Obviously, the population is growing. Services are expanding and in many instances are getting better. I was at a stroke centre at the weekend in Cork University Hospital. There are 26 such stroke centres throughout the country. Wherever we get centralisation and a strategic view in terms of a particular disease, great benefits can accrue. Going back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, we had a cardiovascular strategy and the first national cancer strategies, all of which led to improved survival rates. Likewise improvements in stroke care have had a dramatic impact. I would say, in health services overall, having that strategic framework and focus is key, which has to be followed through by implementation. Personnel is key, of course.

The consultants' contract negotiations are progressing in a constructive way between the Minister and team in the Department of Health and the representative bodies. We had a Cabinet subcommittee on health yesterday and we were updated on progress. I would hope that we can bring that to a conclusion as quickly as possible. It is very important we bring clarity to it in line with the expressed wish of most people in this House. That would yield better coverage overall in the health service and better outcomes and treatments for patients.

Work is ongoing on implementation of the regional health areas as outlined in the programme for Government. The Minister brought a memo to Cabinet in April last. An implementation plan will be finalised by the end of the year. The RHAs will have population-based budget allocations and will be responsible for providing health and social care services.

Integration between acute, community and primary care will be key. The recruitment will start early next year for the senior posts and the RHAs will be responsible for recruitment, financial management, service planning and delivery. Transition to RHAs will take place throughout 2023. Funding has been approved in the budget for the appointment of the RHA senior leadership teams and the aim is to have them operational before the end of 2023. If we can bring that forward we will do so but it is a significant structural change from what we have so it will take a bit of time.

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