Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the projected overruns of the budgets of each acute hospital here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patient care could be compromised in any of these hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21249/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The management of expenditure against budget for individual acute hospitals is a matter for the Health Service Executive. However, in reporting on expenditure to the end of the first quarter of 2006, the HSE indicated some concerns regarding emerging trends in major acute hospitals. I am informed by the HSE that the National Hospitals Office is now undertaking an assessment of the situation to determine the overall position to the end of the year. Notwithstanding these pressures and further spending pressures within the Primary, Community and Continuing Care pillar of the HSE, the Executive have indicated financial break-even by the year end.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will establish a citizen's information type service in children's hospitals specifically designed to give parents who have received a diagnosis for their child that will require long-term health care, education and other types of support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21132/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the children's hospitals. I would be very supportive of such a service being available for parents and my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have the matter examined and to reply directly to the Deputy.