Joe Callanan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Western Regional Immunisation Board has not been reinstated following its disbandment in November 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35200/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that when its structures changed it was decided that it was no longer appropriate to have a regional Immunisation Committee for the former Western Health Board area that no longer existed and it was, therefore, disbanded. This was in anticipation of new structures for HSE West.

However, in parallel to this decision, it was agreed that the Immunisation Committee in each of the three counties of the former Western Health Board would be re-established. These County Committees are charged with driving the Immunisation Agenda. A system has also been put in place whereby the Chair of each local committee will meet with the Local Health Manager with responsibility for immunisation on a regular basis, where issues of common concern can be addressed.