Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when legislation to clarify entitlements to health services will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8331/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Work has commenced on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility and entitlement for health and personal social services. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency and to bring the system up to date with developments in service delivery and technology that have occurred since the Health Act 1970. This is a very complex task but the Department is working to prepare proposals without delay.

The Department is preparing legislation that will: define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made; and provide for an appeals framework. I intend to publish legislation by the end of the year.