John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason parliamentary questions are being answered in a piecemeal fashion; the further reason they often correspond to the old health board structure when the Health Service Executive is lauded as a single entity system that has brought uniformed reform to a previously disjointed system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21228/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Contrary to the view indicated in the Deputy's question, I believe that a rational and coherent approach is being taken to answering parliamentary questions, in the context of the establishment of the HSE. It is also clear that a high priority is being given to this work, through the establishment of the HSE's Parliamentary Affairs Division in April of last year, and its subsequent positioning within the Office of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Parliamentary Affairs Division allows for the centralised receipt, assignment and tracking of PQs within the HSE's extensive network of operations. More generally, it has the capacity to monitor overall performance in relation to the timely issue of replies and to initiate further developments in that regard. In addition, it provides a central contact for all requests from Oireachtas members for information relating to matters within the statutory remit of the Executive.

Last year the Ministers of State in my Department and I answered 5,305 PQs which represented a significant increase on the previous year's total of 4,132. Approximately half of these questions, relating to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, were appropriate for referral to the HSE for investigation and direct reply. These questions covered a broad scope of issues, ranging from the provision of services to individuals to national operational or infrastructural matters.

It is logical that questions of a different nature will involve a different approach to the preparation of a reply. In effect, the type of question determines how it should be most appropriately and expeditiously answered. Where a question relates to the provision of a service by the HSE on a national basis it is dealt with by the relevant HSE National Directorate. Questions involving the collation of information from across the system are coordinated and managed by the Parliamentary Affairs Division to ensure that a complete and comprehensive reply is compiled. Where a question relates to the provision of a service to an individual patient, to a particular hospital or to services in a particular administrative area, the response is issued, under the CEO's authority, by the appropriate manager at local or regional level.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with the HSE, and particularly its Parliamentary Affairs Division, in relation to the monitoring of performance and the development of capacity in this key area of activity and accountability.