Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress to date on the establishment of the four new regional health areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15415/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On foot of proposals from the interim Health Service Executive my predecessor, as Minister and the executive chairman of the interim HSE, announced the four regional areas of the Health Service Executive, which are the western region, the southern region, Dublin and north-east and Dublin and mid-Leinster. The function of these units is to assist in the co-ordination of services delivered through the local health offices in order to improve services to customers. The regional offices will be responsible for performance management, translating national policies through the local areas and gathering and relaying information on a regional basis. Interaction with local communities and their elected representatives through regional forums will also be a key function.

The Health Service Executive was established on 1 January 2005 pursuant to the Health Act 2004, No. 42 of 2004. I will be making regulations shortly to establish the four regional health forums, provided for under section 42 of the Act. The executive's organisational structure provides for the establishment of posts of director for each of the four regional health offices. The recruitment process to fill these posts is at an advanced stage and I have been informed by the executive that offers of appointment have been made.