Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for the delivery of an improved, efficient and effective health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29516/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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With effect from 1 January 2005, the Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the delivery of health services. The Health Act 2004 provides that the object of the executive is to use the resources available to it in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public. I fully support the work of the board of the executive and its chief executive officer in the pursuit of these objectives. Under Section 31 of the 2004 Act, the executive is obliged to prepare, adopt and then submit to me for approval a service plan for the financial year or other period as may be determined by me.

I approved the executive's national service plan for 2005. The plan covers all the main programmes of care and treatment for the health services and sets down projected activity levels for those programmes. The plan also describes the objectives of the programmes and the actions to achieve these objectives. It outlines the key issues for the year ahead and the mechanisms to monitor it. Initiatives in regard to research, quality, evaluation and value for money are also covered. In line with the provisions of the Act, I ensured that a copy of the 2005 service plan was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The implementation of the plan is the operational responsibility of the executive and is the subject of ongoing monitoring by my Department and the executive. The executive reports to me on a regular basis in regard to the achievement of targets described for each programme.

Under Section 29 of the 2004 Act, the executive is obliged to prepare, adopt and then submit to me for approval a corporate plan for the three year period following its submission. The executive has submitted its corporate plan for 2005-08 in accordance with the provisions of this section. It incorporates a vision and mission informed by the goals of the health strategy and tailored to reflect the functions of the executive as a body with responsibility for delivering services. I have approved the corporate plan and I will ensure that a copy is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas by 21 October 2005.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which agreement has finally been reached regarding the restructuring of the health services with reference to the needs of the patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29518/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the model on which the four proposed new health administrative areas are based; if, given population and geographic differences, they will be an improvement on the past; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29527/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 356 together.

My Department has been informed that, on the initiative of the Health Service Executive's chief executive officer, work is under way to examine organisational arrangements. The overall aim is to simplify a number of key management functions, with a view to more integration, consistency and accountability for patients and frontline staff in the management and delivery of services.

The executive has advised my Department that a proposal is being considered to put in place four administrative regions for hospital services. These regions would be co-terminus with the existing four regional structures for the delivery of primary community and continuing care. This is being considered with a view to achieving greater integration and co-ordination in the management of health services between hospital services and primary, community and continuing care services.

The executive has emphasised that the examination of the organisational structures is at an early stage and that no final proposals have emerged as yet. During the coming weeks, the board and senior management group will be advancing the initiative. Under the Health Act 2004, the executive has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. The organisational arrangements currently under consideration are a matter for the executive.