Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to subsume the National Council on Aging and Older People into the Office of Older People in her Department, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42106/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the new Office for Older People was established on 30 January 2008. In line with recommendations of Prospectus Report 2003 the National Council on Ageing and Older People will be absorbed into the Department of Health and Children. Legislation will be required and my Department is working on the legislation at present. The National Council on Ageing and Older People is currently budgeted for €1.819m in Vote 39, the Department of Health and Children's own Vote, so there will be no additional cost to the Exchequer. It is not possible to give an accurate forecast of savings at this time.

The absorption of the National Council on Ageing and Older People will provide the new Office with a key resource necessary for it to carry out the additional duties and responsibilities placed upon it in terms of the development of an overall government Strategy for Positive Ageing and to develop the relationships and networks necessary at interdepartmental and public service level necessary to carry out this work.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to subsume the Children Acts Advisory Board into the Office of the Minister for Children in her Department, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42107/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is intended that the Children Acts Advisory Board (CAAB) will be subsumed into the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affair (OMCYA) in 2009. To give effect to the proposal amendments will be required to the Child Care Act 1991 and the Children Act 2001. My Department is considering the best approach to give effect to this measure which has arisen in the context of the Government decision on the rationalisation of agencies across the public service.

The measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector was taken in the light of the OECD's recommendations on the need for a more integrated public service and reflect the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme. While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, the primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. While it is too early to project the administrative savings that will accrue to the Exchequer, efficiencies will be derived from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems.

In the context of the new structures and developments which have occurred in the area of children's policy and the organisation of services over the past number of years it is an opportune time for this measure. My Department's focus is to continue and to build on the progress that has been undertaken in the area of child care and protection. This is centred on ensuring that actions are co-ordinated, that inter-agency working is fostered and efficiencies continue to be created in order to ensure the best use of resources and to attain outcomes of effective policy development and service delivery. Significant initiatives have been taken with regard to putting in place structures to co-ordinate and rationalise children's policy development. The OMCYA has provided a centralised structure which has brought together the various policy development areas dealing with child care of the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science. Also, the advent of the HSE has allowed greater co-ordination in the delivery of child care services; in particular, the creation of the HSE's National Office for Special and High Support Care has led to a more effective and efficient approach in service provision in this area.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to subsume the Women's Health Council into her Department, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42108/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department's measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector have been prepared primarily in the context of the OECD's recommendations in relation to the need for a more integrated public service. The measures reflect and build upon the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme, and take account of experience to date with the practicalities of rationalisation. In November the Government approved the drafting of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which will, among other things, provide for the Women's Health Council (WHC) to be subsumed into my Department.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, the primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems. It is too early to project what the savings expected might be.

It is expected that this rationalisation will take place during 2009. However, this is wholly dependant on the drafting, passing and enactment of the legislation.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the National Cancer Screening Service into the Health Service Executive, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42109/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government has recently approved the drafting of a Bill to subsume the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Women's Health Council into the Department of Health and Children and to subsume the Drug Treatment Centre, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) into the Health Service Executive. The Bill will be published as soon as possible. The Strategy for Cancer Control, published in 2006 advocates a comprehensive cancer control policy programme. Cancer control is a whole-population, integrated and cohesive approach to cancer that involves prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive and palliative care. It was in this context that the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) requested that the NCSS be brought within the HSE.

The NCSS already works closely with the NCCP and discussions will take place between my Department, the HSE and the NCSS to facilitate the transfer. I expect that the NCSS will be integrated into the HSE by the end of 2009.

The exact savings that may accrue to the Exchequer will become clearer as the transfer proceeds.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the National Cancer Registry Board into the Health Service Executive, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42110/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Primary legislation is required to subsume the National Cancer Registry into the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Cancer Control Programme. The appropriate legislation for this purpose is the Health Information Bill, which will be progressed in 2009.

The Strategy for Cancer Control, 2006 provides for a major reform programme in cancer control and the HSE established the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in response to the Strategy. To be successful, the programme requires accurate, timely and quality information on cancer control as an integrated element of its policy analysis, performance review and decision making. It will routinely require such data to demonstrably deliver equitable and quality services. For these reasons, the Department and the HSE agree that the data collection functions currently performed by the Registry should form an integral part of the NCCP. The Registry already works closely with the NCCP and discussions will take place between my Department, the HSE and the Registry to facilitate the transfer.

Details of savings that may accrue to the Exchequer will become clearer as the transfer proceeds.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the Crisis Pregnancy Agency into the Health Service Executive, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42111/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department's measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector have been prepared primarily in the context of the OECD's recommendations in relation to the need for a more integrated public service. The measures reflect and build upon the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme, and take account of experience to date with the practicalities of rationalisation.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, the primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems.

The Government has recently approved the drafting of a Bill to subsume the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Women's Health Council into the Department of Health and Children and to subsume the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Drug Treatment Centre and the National Cancer Screening Service into the Health Service Executive.

I am not in a position at this point to say when exactly the Crisis Pregnancy Agency will be subsumed into the Executive. The process will be subject to the enactment of the relevant legislation and negotiations with the parties involved.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the Drug Treatment Centre into the Health Service Executive, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42112/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department's measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector have been prepared primarily in the context of the OECD's recommendations in relation to the need for a more integrated public service. The measures reflect and build upon the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme, and take account of experience to date with the practicalities of rationalisation.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, the primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration, regulatory activity and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems.

The Government has recently approved the drafting of a Bill to subsume the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Women's Health Council into the Department of Health and Children and to subsume the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Drug Treatment Centre and the National Cancer Screening Service into the Health Service Executive.

I am not in a position at this point to say when exactly the Drug Treatment Centre will be subsumed into the Executive. The process will be subject to the enactment of the relevant legislation and negotiations with the parties involved.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to subsume the National Social Work Qualification Board, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council and the Opticians Board into the Health and Social Care Professional Council, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42113/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department's measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector have been prepared primarily in the context of the OECD's recommendations in relation to the need for a more integrated public service. The measures reflect and build upon the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme, and take account of experience to date with the practicalities of rationalisation.

The National Social Work Qualifications Board (NSWQB) was established in 1997 under the Health Corporate Bodies Act, 1961 and is the designated authority for the profession of social work in Ireland under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. The Health and Social Care Professionals Council (H&SCPC) was established in March 2007, under The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 for the purpose of protecting the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education and competence. The Council, currently in start up mode, will initially register twelve separate professions for statutory registration including Social Workers. Part 8 of the Health & Social Care Professionals Act 2005 already provides for the dissolution of the NSWQB and its rationalisation into the H&SCPC and work has commenced on the transfer of all Board staff, functions, assets and liabilities to the Council not later than May 2009.

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is also to be integrated into the H&SCPC. PHECC was established in April 2000 by SI No 109 of 2000 under the Health Corporate Bodies Act 1961, as amended. PHECC's primary function is to develop appropriate standards in pre-hospital emergency care. It concerns itself with the development of professional and performance standards for the ambulance services and for ambulance services personnel, in addition to the registration of emergency care practitioners and the accreditation of institutions providing training for them. As a registration body, PHECC has a role in protecting the public. It also fulfils this function by laying down, promoting and monitoring standards for the delivery of pre-hospital emergency care. With the establishment of the H&SCPC, and its responsibility for registration and fitness to practise arrangements in relation to twelve separate health and social care professions, it is considered appropriate that in due course the Council should assume responsibility for these functions in relation to pre-hospital emergency care practitioners also. This will put the arrangements for pre-hospital emergency care practitioners on the same footing as for other health and social care professionals and will ensure consistency and uniformity of practice in relation to the regulation of those professions. My Department is examining in detail the nature of the legislative changes required to give effect to the transfer, as appropriate, of PHECC's functions to the H&SCPC, and it is anticipated that primary legislation will be required. Having regard to the planned timescale for the registration of the twelve professions named in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, it is envisaged at this stage that the transfer of PHECC's functions to the H&SCPC will take place within a three-year timeframe.

The Opticians Board is also to be integrated into the H&SCPC to ensure consistency and standardisation in the regulation of health and social care professionals. The function of the Opticians Board is to provide for the registration and control of optometrists and dispensing opticians. The Opticians Board was established under the Opticians Acts 1956 and 2003. Primary legislation will be required to provide for the dissolution of the Board and for the transfer of its functions to the H&SCPC. The immediate priority for the H&SCPC is to establish statutory registration for the twelve health and social care professions designated for registration under the 2005 Act. The H&SCPC has examined which professions from within the designated twelve are most suitable for early registration and has recently decided to appoint the first two of twelve statutory Registration Boards, the Social Work Registration Board and the Physiotherapist Registration Board, to be established by end of 2008. The H&SCPC will continue to work to establish additional Registration Boards from within the designated 12 professional grades during the course of 2009, in the context of available funding and resources. While the transfer to the Council of the functions currently exercised by the Opticians Board is dependent on progress made in the initial registration of the other twelve professions, it is anticipated at this stage that this will also happen within a three-year timeframe.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, the primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. It is envisaged that efficiencies and savings will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board into the Dental Council, the Medical Council, and the Health Service Executive, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42114/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Arising from the Government decision of 8 July 2008 on expenditure measures, a comprehensive programme of agency rationalisation is to be implemented across the public service.

A programme of agency rationalisation in the health sector involves a total of fifteen agencies which includes the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board. It currently has a staff of 13 (whole time equivalents) and a budget of €9.862m for 2008.

The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 provides for the dissolution of the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board and the transfer of its functions to the HSE, the Medical Council and the Dental Council. The preparation of a commencement order is in train and it is planned that the transfer of functions will be effective from 1 January 2009.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation of the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board and other agencies, the primary aim of the rationalisation programme is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as payroll, administration etc. It is too early to project at this point in time what savings the rationalisation will generate.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to merge the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery into the Health Service Executive and An Bord Altranais, by which this will be done; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42115/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Arising from the Government decision of 8 July 2008 on expenditure measures, a comprehensive programme of agency rationalisation is to be implemented across the public service.

A programme of agency rationalisation in the health sector involves a total of fifteen agencies which includes the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery. It currently has a staff of 11.5 (whole time equivalents) and a budget of €4.473m for 2008.

My Department has drafted heads of a new Nurses and Midwives Bill, which has already been published as part of the public consultation process. The proposed new Bill provides for the dissolution of the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery and the transfer of its functions to the HSE and An Bord Altranais. The draft heads of Bill are currently being revised following the public consultation. The Bill is expected to be published early in 2009 and the rationalisation of the National Council will follow the enactment of the legislation.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation of the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery and other agencies, the primary aim of the rationalisation programme is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as payroll, administration etc. It is too early to project at this point in time what savings the rationalisation will generate.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date, in relation to the announcement in Budget 2009 to create a new body, the Public Health and Medicines Safety Authority, to replace the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Office of Tobacco Control and the Irish Medicines Board, by which this new body will be established and the other bodies abolished; if this will require legislation; the date by which this will be published; the savings that this is expected to accrue to the Exchequer in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42116/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Arising from the Government decision of 8 July 2008 on expenditure measures, a comprehensive programme of agency rationalisation is to be implemented across the public service. As part of this programme, three agencies, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Irish Medicines Board and the Office of Tobacco Control will be amalgamated to form a new Public Health and Medicines Safety Authority.

Primary legislation will be required to give legal effect to the creation of this Authority. It is expected that the Authority will be established by 2011.

This Department's measures for the rationalisation of agencies within the health sector have been prepared primarily in the context of the OECD's recommendations in relation to the need for a more integrated public service. The measures reflect and build upon the progress to date with agency rationalisation within the sector under the overall health reform programme, and take account of experience to date with the practicalities of rationalisation.

While there is clearly a need to secure efficiencies from the rationalisation programme, its primary aim is to streamline service delivery, professional registration and policy making in a number of areas in the health sector, through the integration and/or amalgamation of functions. Efficiencies will, however, derive over time from economies of scale and the elimination of duplication in areas such as recruitment, procurement, payroll and ICT systems.