Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of community dieticians operating within the Health Service Executive south catchment area; the number of those who operate on a part-time basis; the number operating on a full time basis; the breakdown of dieticians within each primary community and continuing care administrative area if the HSE will be appointing additional dieticians within the next 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9718/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Governments ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is a policy instrument or document in place governing the roll out of additional community dieticians; if that target has been achieved within the Health Service Executive south area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9719/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The first National Nutrition Policy is currently being finalised by my Department and it will be published shortly. The Policy will provide strategic direction on nutrition for the next ten years.

The part of the Deputy's question regarding the number of community dieticians employed in the Health Service Executive south area relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the HSE under the Health Act 2004. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.