Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The Government takes accountability very seriously. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is aware of concerns expressed on public participation within the restructured system. The Minister has already indicated his intention to bring forward proposals to provide opportunities for democratic input in the context of the new structures. He has given much consideration to the appropriate mechanisms to support the development of appropriate interfaces at regional and local level between locally elected representatives and the health service executive. Provisions to implement these mechanisms will be included in the legislation which is currently being drafted.

Provisions are likely to include the establishment of a series of regional fora to facilitate local representatives who wish to raise with the executive issues of local concern about health services within their regions. Membership of the fora will be based on the participation of a number of nominees from each local authority. Putting such arrangements in place will ensure that the voices of local public representatives will continue to be heard in the development of health structures. The arrangements will be designed to complement and reinforce the role of the Joint Committee on Health and Children in expressing the views of public representatives in the ongoing oversight of the health system.

The health strategy identified the need for a more structured approach to community participation in decisions on the delivery of health services. To this end, the health service executive in association with the Department of Health and Children issued guidelines on community participation. These guidelines set out the principles and framework for structures for such participation. Most health boards have established consumer panels that deal with a wide range of issues such as the development and delivery of services. Two boards have also established regional advisory panels for older consumers and their carers. The Minister intends to establish these structures on a legislative basis in the next Bill. I reject the amendment.