Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to improve health facilities on the offshore islands to ensure that they are fully equipped to deal with routine and where necessary emergency medical situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28666/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to provide better ante and post-natal services on island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28668/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 91 together.

Under the Health Act 2004, the management and delivery of health and personal social services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters raised by the Deputy investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to provide tele-medicine facilities to allow Ireland's most remote island communities and medical practitioners access to doctors and consultants in specialist hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28667/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I understand that, as part of its emerging strategy for Information and Communications Technology which is expected to be completed later this year, the Health Service Executive is considering how Telemedicine and Telecare facilities can be best deployed to remotely monitor and provide services to patients, including those with chronic conditions, thus reducing the need to travel for medical consultations. Developments in this area will be particularly beneficial to those living in island communities.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to respond in more detail to the query raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter further investigated and to arrange to provide more specific detail on the progress made to-date in this area directly to the Deputy.