Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 221: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to the motion passed by the General Council of County Councils calling on her to address the democratic deficit in the new health structures, the response she will make to deal with this important issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12016/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the establishment of a Health Service Executive, HSE, on a statutory basis which took over responsibility for the management and delivery of health services from the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and a number of other specified agencies on 1 January 2005.

The Government has made specific provision for the involvement of public representatives and the users of the services in the restructured health system. Under Part 8 of the Act, provision is made for the establishment of up to four regional health forums, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The function of each regional health forum is to make such representations to the executive as it considers appropriate on the range and operation of health and personal social services provided within its functional area. Members will be appointed to the forums by the city or county councils in each forum's functional area.

The establishment of the regional forums will enable sustained dialogue and consultation between the HSE and public representatives at local level. These arrangements will complement and reinforce the role of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children in reflecting the views of public representatives in the ongoing oversight of the health system. Regulations are currently being drafted in my Department to provide for the establishment of the forums, which I intend to bring into effect at an early date. In addition, section 41 of the Act provides for the establishment of a national health consultative forum, while under section 43 the HSE is enabled to establish whatever mechanisms it considers appropriate, including advisory panels, to assist it in seeking the views of local communities or other groups on health and personal social services.

I am satisfied that the steps to be taken pursuant to the provisions under Part 8 of the Act will provide an effective framework for ascertaining and representing the views of the public.