Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she or a delegation from her Department or from the Health Service Executive has met with SIPTU regarding the action plan for health services in the north east; if representatives from SIPTU are included on the steering committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35330/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the members of the steering committee regarding the action plan for health services in the north east. [35331/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

The HSE has recently established a Steering Group and a North East Project Group to oversee a programme designed to improve safety and standards across the acute hospital network in the North East Region. The decision was taken having regard to the issues raised in the report prepared for the HSE by Teamwork Management Services — "Improving Safety and Achieving Better Standards — An Action Plan for Health Services in the North East" and taking account of the findings of the recent report into the death of Mr Patrick J Walsh.

Led by the HSE's National Hospitals Office, the Steering Group has representation from key stakeholders such as clinicians and primary care providers. The Project Group is being led by a Consultant Surgeon from outside the Region.

Neither I nor my Department has met with SIPTU regarding the Action Plan for Health Services in the North East. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the specific matters raised in the Deputy's questions investigated and to have a reply issued directly to him.