Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 9 June 2009, the frequency of the regular monitoring reports from the Health Service Executive to her Department on the implementation of the service plan for child and family service provision referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 9 June 2009; if these reports are or will be made publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24288/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has a monitoring framework in place whereby the HSE submits detailed monthly reports on the delivery of the National Service Plan. The National Service Plan 2009 includes activity targets, key performance indicators and key deliverables in respect of Children and Families. The monthly performance reports are published on the HSE website once approved by the HSE Board.

Quarterly meetings are held between the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE, and their respective management teams, to discuss issues arising in relation to implementation and progression of the National Service Plan. In addition, there is ongoing liaison and dialogue between various policy units within the Department and the corresponding directorates in the HSE. There are also triangular monthly meetings held between the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Finance and the HSE.

Following my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I initiated and chair regular meetings with senior officials from the Health Service Executive so as to drive reform and modernisation of services for children and families.