Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made to date in implementing the Government's health service reform programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26958/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of the health service reform programme since it was announced by the Government in June 2003. The Health Service Executive was established on a statutory basis with effect from 1 January 2005 under the Health Act 2004. The executive 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 6 March 2005 I approved the national service plan submitted by the HSE under the 2004 Act. A copy of the plan was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 6 April and it has been published on the Internet by the executive. The executive submitted its corporate plan for 2005 to 2007 to me and it will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the Act.

In February 2005, a framework document on corporate and financial governance issued to the Health Service Executive. The executive is drafting its own code of governance in keeping with the framework and its code will require ministerial approval. The code is expected to map internal governance arrangements to ensure adequate accountability and stewardship. When the code is approved the executive is required by the Act to arrange for its publication. The framework document is being adapted with a view to issuing it to health sector agencies funded directly by my Department in the light of their statutory status and requirements. The board of the interim health information and quality authority was appointed in March 2005 and is tasked with making the necessary organisational preparations for the establishment of the authority on a full statutory basis. My Department is preparing draft heads of Bill for the establishment of the health information and quality authority and the social services inspectorate.

My Department is drafting regulations providing for the establishment of not more than four regional health forums following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is intended to have them made as soon as possible after the completion of the consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Draft regulations regarding dealings between the Health Service Executive and Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas are being finalised. It is my intention to lay these regulations before the Oireachtas in the near future.

Work is ongoing on the research and consultation necessary to inform the drafting of regulations governing the introduction of a statutory framework for dealing with complaints received by the executive. A consultation process on the handling of complaints made to the HSE has been held and a report on its findings is due to be submitted to my Department shortly to inform the making of regulations. An order providing for the convening of the national health consultative forum is under preparation in my Department.