Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 281: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if ministerial regulations have been made under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 to establish regional health forums; the composition of such forums, the level of representation from local government on these forums; the date for their establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26799/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 included as a central part of the reforms accountability at all levels of the system. In respect of local representatives it specifically includes in Part 8 under section 42 provision for the establishment of a number of regional health forums. These forums will facilitate local representatives in raising issues of local concern in relation to health services within their region with the executive. Membership of the forums will be based on nominations from city and county councils within the functional areas of each forum. Putting such arrangements in place will ensure that the voice of local public representatives will continue to be heard in relation to the development of health services.

These arrangements are designed to complement and reinforce the role of the Joint Committee on Health and Children in reflecting the views of public representatives in the ongoing oversight of the health services. The regulations will specify the following: the title of each forum and define its functional area; the number of members for each forum; the number of members from each city and county council to be nominated to each forum; and the requirements relating to the manner in which the functions of a forum are to be performed. They will also set out the procedures for the following: appointing members to a forum; the election of a chairperson and vice-chairperson of a forum; filling of casual vacancies; the meetings of a forum; the establishment of committees and the appointment of their members; and ensuring the proper administration of each forum.

My Department has been engaged in a consultation process regarding the proposed regulations and, as a result of these consultations, I hope to finalise the regulations and lay them before the Houses shortly, with a view to establishing the forums very soon afterwards.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 282: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will convene the national health consultative forum; the proposed composition of the forum; if she will provide for representation for people in Northern Ireland on the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26800/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Section 41 of the Health Act 2004 provides for the convening of a national health consultative forum to advise me, in my capacity as Minister, on matters relating to the provision of health and personal social services as defined in the Act. This forum will replace the national consultative forum on the health strategy which has been convened annually since 2002. The strategy forum will be held in December this year. The strategy forum participants are primarily drawn from senior management in the health system, the voluntary sector, patient and client groups, service providers, trade unions, professional bodies, Departments and other sectoral interests.

My Department is preparing a ministerial order on the membership, rules and procedures of the national health consultative forum. While its composition has yet to be decided by me, it is envisaged, having regard to the provisions of the Act, that its membership will be on similar lines to the existing strategy forum.