Written answers

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Department of Health and Children

Health Service Expenditure

4:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by Health Service Executive officials on transport costs, including air travel, public transport and mileage costs, per annum since 2005 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28745/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The management and delivery of health and personal social services, including related budgetary issues, are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on the hospitality budget per annum since 2005 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28746/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on hotels for conferences, meetings and accommodation per annum since 2005 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28747/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on legal fees per annum since 2005 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28748/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of cost containment measures issued by the Health Service Executive to off set cost overruns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28749/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote.

The services and targets to be provided by the HSE in 2008 are set out in the National Service Plan which I approved in November 2007 and the Addendum to the Service Plan which I approved in February 2008. Both of these documents have been laid before the House and published.

The Service Plan includes strategic objectives, cost containment initiatives, value for money and productivity reviews to progress the development and delivery of greater efficiencies in 2008 and beyond.

The HSE projects a potential overspend for the year in the order of €300m in the absence of their taking corrective action. The Board and management of the HSE are actively engaged in the development and implementation of an appropriate package of measures so as to manage within the resources available and deliver the services to which the HSE is committed in the Service Plan. A range of Value for Money initiatives, targeted to deliver significant cost reductions in 2008 have commenced with further initiatives under consideration.

The HSE has confirmed that it is aiming to deliver the Service Plan submitted by the Board last November within its approved Pre-Budget allocation.

My Department has asked the HSE to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy setting out the specifics of the actions taken to date.

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