Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public servants in her Department who are employed full-time on the assessment, procurement, project management and delivery of infrastructure projects covered by the public capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12863/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Government considered redeploying public servants to assist with the procurement and project management of infrastructure projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12875/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that the public capital programme is equivalent to 7.5% of GNP or some 21% of total Government spending, she is satisfied that sufficient public servants in her Department are working in a full-time capacity on infrastructure projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12887/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 to 83, inclusive, together.

Responsibility for the health public capital programme within my Department rests primarily with the hospital planning office supported as appropriate by other relevant divisions. The hospital planning office has 24 staff. While the day to day management of projects in the public capital programme rests with the Health Service Executive and other agencies, my Department works closely with these bodies and provides professional advice and support as appropriate. The future role and responsibilities of the hospital planning office are currently under review in the context of the reforms of the health service and recent establishment of the HSE. I will ensure that my Department has adequate resources in the future to undertake its responsibilities to the health capital programme.

On the other issues raised, the Deputy will be aware that the HSE, which was established on 1 January 2005, has responsibility to manage and deliver health services at local level or arrange to have such services delivered on its behalf. The question of redeploying public servants within the HSE to procure infrastructure projects is a matter for decision by the executive in the context of its overall resources.