Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

This morning the Minister for Health and Children welcomed the first bi-annual report of the HSE corporate plan 2008-11. She said such a report was helpful because it indicated performance trends in the health sector. The Minister also said it provided another example of the benefit of having health boards together in one national organisation. As I have said publicly in past discussions on the progress made in the provision of health services by the HSE, I disagree with the Minister on that point. Going from 14 health boards to one national organisation was not correct as it did not provide the necessary service at regional level and the service is failing in a number of areas. I understand there are moves afoot to regionalise the HSE in which the provision of adequate services can be ensured.

I look forward to developments in this area but I would like the Leader to answer a few questions. What will happen in this process? What procedures will be followed? What will be the follow-up? I particularly refer to people in the care of the HSE who have falls in a day care centre, community centre or any institutional setting, whether acute or long-stay. I raise this point because it has been brought to my attention that two people have had serious falls in high-dependency HSE settings and I am not happy at the manner in which the families were informed of the falls. We should get a clear picture concerning this matter.

We are aware of a number of investigations into alleged wrongdoing and malpractice within the banking sector. I would like to know what progress has been made regarding these investigations and if prosecutions are likely to follow.