Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the delays in receiving replies to written parliamentary questions since the establishment of the Health Service Executive; her further views on the fact that a written parliamentary question submitted on 29 November 2005 and answered on the 29 March 2006 is unacceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15464/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Prior to the establishment of the Health Service Executive, parliamentary questions concerning access to services, by individuals or in specific geographic areas, were referred to the chief executive officer of the relevant health board or ERHA for direct reply. The parliamentary affairs division of the HSE, which was established in April 2005, provides a central contact for all Oireachtas requests for information relating to matters within the statutory remit of the executive.

Parliamentary questions can differ substantially in the complexity of the subject matter or the extent of the detail sought. Where a question, such as that referred to in the Deputy's question, relates to the provision of a service provided by the HSE on a national basis, or requests statistical information on a service covering a period of years, it requires the collation of information from a number of different sources. The collation of such information is co-ordinated and monitored by the parliamentary affairs division to ensure a complete and comprehensive reply is compiled and issued in response to these questions. I am satisfied that the HSE continues to develop its structures and capacity for dealing with parliamentary affairs, as a matter of priority, and that it is fully committed to enhancing performance in providing timely replies to Oireachtas Members.