Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if policy and direction in respect of health services generally derives from her Department or from the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35667/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Prospectus and Brennan reports identified the need for significant change in the role of the Department of Health and Children as part of a fundamental reform of the health service. The overall recommendations of the two reports with regard to functions were accepted by the Government and it was agreed that the Department should be reorganised. The legal framework for this reform was put in place with the Health Act 2004. Under the Act, my Department has responsibility for policy analysis, development and prioritisation. This responsibility also includes performance measurement, the monitoring of financial positions and service provisions and the evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

The functions of the executive are outlined in section 7 of the Health Act 2004. These include the management and delivery of health and personal social services, the education and training of health professionals and employees and the provision of advice to the Minister with regard to its functions. The overall objective of the executive is to use the resources available to it in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner in order to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public.