Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2005

Department of Health and Children

Parliamentary Accountability

10:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which it is proposed to achieve a degree of accountability to Dáil Éireann in respect of budget, administration and delivery of health services in view of the dearth of information available to Dáil Éireann and the fashion in which such information, if available, is made by way of delayed reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35669/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health services. Section 21 of that Act states that "the chief executive officer shall, at the written request of an Oireachtas Committee, attend before it". The executive must also submit a service plan which, when approved by me, is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. This plan must, among other things, indicate the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the executive for the duration of the plan. My Department has a role in performance management and measurement, monitoring financial positions and service provisions and the evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. Under the legislation, the executive has to submit a corporate plan for approval. The corporate plan was recently approved and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This outlines the key objectives for the period 2005 to 2008, how the achievement of these objectives will be measured and the use of its resources.

With regard to parliamentary questions, which can differ substantially in complexity and detail required, the executive aims to operate within a timeframe of 20 working days from the date of answer to the issue of a final reply and a protocol has been adopted to that effect. This reflects the arrangement previously in place with health boards. The executive is committed to reducing this period as it develops its organisational and information capacity.

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