Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if hospitals are to be reconfigured into four hospital networks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35408/05]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the establishment of four hospital networks as opposed to the ten previously announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35370/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received a proposal from the Health Service Executive to establish four hospital networks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35406/05]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will release the proposals from the Health Service Executive to establish four hospital networks to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35407/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the establishment of four hospital networks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35395/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 132, 145, 161 and 197 together.

The Health Service Executive is currently considering a proposal to put in place, as part of the National Hospitals Office, four administrative regions for hospital services, namely, the western region, Dublin-north east region, southern region and Dublin-mid-Leinster region.

My understanding is that this proposal, if implemented, would not necessarily mean a reduction in the existing ten hospital networks. The proposed administrative regions for acute hospital services would be the same as the existing four regional structures for delivering primary, community and continuing care.

The main aim of the proposal, under consideration by the HSE, is to achieve far greater co-ordination of service delivery at regional level. This thinking comes from a recognition of the problems to date with lack of co-ordination between the acute services and the community services. The aim, as I understand it, is to achieve a seamless delivery of services in meeting patient needs and requirements while at the same time avoiding situations where people access services in inappropriate settings. Responsiveness and appropriate delivery are key components in the spectrum of healthcare provision.

It is a matter for the board of the HSE to decide how best to organise the management and delivery of health and personal social services. Any measures which impact positively on patients will have my support.