Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the future of Drogheda Memorial Hospital, the Curragh, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29309/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Government policy in relation to Palliative Care is based on the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001). In line with the Report, a 'Palliative Care Services Medium Term Development Framework' was published by the HSE in July 2009. This Framework sets national priorities which have been agreed by all stakeholders based on solid needs analysis. The national priorities reflect the gaps that currently exist in particular areas and services, and the prioritisation reflects the largest gaps. The national priorities selected are aligned to national healthcare policy and the HSE's Transformation Programme and Corporate Plan. However, all developments are subject to current budget and economic considerations.

As the specific issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which accountancy practices in the Health Service Executive are subject to audit and performance controls; the extent to which this applies to the operation of Tallaght Hospital, sector by sector; the extent to which such stress testing relates to whether buildlings, wards, beds or procedures are in accordance with requirements; the action or actions taken if any, in the event of system failure or deficiency; if any specific accountancy or accountability defects in the system have been identified and or rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29310/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Each year the HSE prepares an Appropriation Account which is required to comply with the provisions of the Public Financial Procedures, published by the Department of Finance, and other directions of the Minister for Finance and is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and considered each year by the Committee of Public Accounts. Section 36 of the Health Act, 2004 also requires the HSE to prepare Annual Financial Statements (AFS), on an income and expenditure basis. The AFS are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and they are, together with the audit report, laid before the Oireachtas and are examined by the Committee of Public Accounts alongside the Appropriation Account. The accounts of hospitals established by statute are also audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and laid before the Oireachtas. The audited accounts of other service providers funded by the HSE under Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004 are submitted to the HSE for its examination as part of the framework for accountability in respect of the delivery of services and the expenditure of public funds. The arrangements by the HSE with such service providers also encompass reporting and monitoring arrangements in respect of the provision of services and associated expenditure.

The above position reflects the general arrangements governing the financial and service accountability of the HSE and the service providers it funds. If there are specific matters giving rise to the Deputy's enquiries I will be happy to have these addressed by the HSE.