Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information on the implementation of the recommendation of the Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6608/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Patient safety has become both a national and international imperative in recent years, with increasing emphasis across the world on patient safety in policy reform, legislative changes and development of standards of care driven by quality improvement initiatives. I and this Government place great importance on the policies and practical reforms we are implementing to ensure patient safety and quality-assured health services.

The Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance was established in January 2007 and reported to me in July 2008. The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and approved the commencement of work on the drawing up of legislation to give effect to its central recommendation on the licensing of both public and private health care providers. The Government also supported the immediate establishment of a Steering Group to drive implementation of the report's recommendations. I have, last week, appointed the Department's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, to chair the Implementation Steering Group (ISG).

I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to consult with the health care sector and to revert to me as quickly as possible with proposals on the membership of the ISG. I will then establish the Group and instruct them to develop and submit implementation proposals for how and over what timescale these could be enabled by better use and reallocation of existing resources. I will be asking the ISG to report to me within 18 months of its establishment during which time they will submit quarterly progress reports.