Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the recommendations from the national pandemic influenza plan; the measures in place to ensure the implementation of guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6276/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The purpose of the National Pandemic Influenza Plan is to limit the effects of a potential pandemic and to inform the public about pandemic influenza, explain what the Government and the health services are doing to prepare for a possible pandemic, and give information on what members of the public need to do if there is a pandemic. The plan will be updated on a regular basis to reflect the most up to date advice of the Pandemic Influenza Expert Group and international developments.

The health service response is based on eight core elements: communications strategy, telephone hotline, responsibilities of the public, surveillance, antiviral drugs, pandemic vaccine, reorganisation of health services, and essential supplies. Significant funding has been allocated to develop contingency plans — €9.3 million in 2005 and €19.3 million in 2006 and 2007. Most of this investment has been put towards the national stockpile of medicines and supplies.

The development of a robust emergency plan based on the National Pandemic Influenza Plan is a priority for the Health Service Executive in 2007. The HSE National Service Plan sets out key deliverables for the development of specific emergency plans for an influenza pandemic across all directorates and functions. In particular these plans should address:

For the National Hospitals Office: bed capacity, ventilation capacity, role of private hospitals, ambulance transport requirements;

For Primary, Community and Continuing Care: redeployment of staff to support care settings and supports;

For Population Health: plans for surveillance, contact tracing, and management of cases.

All directorates and functions across the HSE are required to address the issue of redeployment of staff to manage essential services and business continuity issues. In addition, National Procurement will manage the purchase, storage and distribution of the National Stockpile of Medicines and Supplies. Human Resources will manage the industrial relations agenda arising from the pandemic influenza plan. ICT will design, scope and implement the information technology solutions required, for example around the telephone hotline.

The implementation of the HSE pandemic influenza plan will be monitored by my Department through the service planning process.

The National Pandemic Influenza Plan concentrates on the health response to pandemic influenza but also provides some advice on the planning which must take place across all sectors of society. In this context, my Department established a Standing Inter-Departmental Committee in 2006 to provide advice on non-health areas of public policy or public services to ensure a coordinated cross-Government response. In addition, my Department is considering legal issues arising from the public health management of pandemic influenza. This work will be a priority in the Department's Business Plan for 2007.