Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a full reply has not issued to date for previously asked parliamentary questions (details supplied); and if she will issue full replies. [1579/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The previous Parliamentary Questions referred to by the Deputy related to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department requested that the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive arrange to have the matter investigated and to provide the relevant information to him. The Deputy will be aware that this matter was the subject of proceedings before the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Payments were then made by the HSE to the individual concerned, in line with the Employment Appeals Tribunal Agreement, as interpreted by the HSE Legal Team. These payments were subsequently returned to the Legal Advisor of the HSE as the HSE's interpretation of the agreement was not acceptable to the individual concerned.

In light of the further questions raised by the Deputy in relation to this particular case, my Department has requested the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy setting out the present position. Given the nature of this case, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to intervene directly in it.