Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Hospitals Trust Board exists; if so, the purpose and functions of the board; the members of same; the annual remuneration of each member; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40389/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Hospitals Trust Board was established by the Public Hospitals (Amendment) Act 1938 and while the board is still in existence it is currently non-operational pending its formal dissolution as recommended in the Prospectus report on the audit of structures and functions in the health system 2003. It is anticipated that this will take place in the context of the streamlining of agencies in the health sector generally as part of the ongoing wider reform process. The function of the board was primarily to act as trustee for sweepstakes money.

The present membership of the board is Mr. Charlie Hardy, Ms Helen Minogue, Mr. Michael Murchan and Mr. Eddie O'Reilly, all of whom are officers in my Department. None of the board members is remunerated in respect of their membership.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the future of the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board; if same will be abolished following the establishment of HIQA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40390/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Department is currently preparing legislation to establish the health information and quality authority. It is envisaged that the functions currently held by the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board will be assumed by the new authority when it is established.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the office for health gain is in existence; if not, the name of the body which replaced it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40391/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The office for health gain was established in 1996 on an administrative basis by the chief executive officers of the then health boards to facilitate joint working between the health boards and also with other statutory agencies to advance the health and social gain agenda in line with the health strategy "Shaping a Healthier Future".

The establishment of the ERHA in 1999 provided the mechanism for the creation of the Health Boards Executive to facilitate collaborative working between health boards on a broader basis. HeBE was established in February 2002 and subsequently absorbed the functions of the office for health gain.

The functions of HeBE were then streamlined into the Health Service Executive which was established on 1 January 2005, replacing the former health boards and the ERHA, providing a unified health structure for the delivering of health and personal social services.