Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received recent reports from the Health Service Executive with regard to the progress made by it in implementing the PA Consulting Reform Plan with regard to child care services; in the context of any such report received, the nature of the progress made; if she has been informed of any continuing industrial relations issues which are continuing to impede the implementation of the recommendations made in the PA Consulting report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47107/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The findings of the Strategic Review of the Delivery and Management of Children and Family Services, (known as the PA Consulting Report) are helping to inform the HSE in the restructuring of services at national and regional level. The report is the subject of regular discussion with the HSE, most recently as part of the preparation of its Service Plan for 2011.

I expect that the 2011 Service Plan will include a strong and measurable commitment on the part of the HSE to further progress the implementation of the findings of the PA Report. I will be meeting with HSE senior management later this week at which the matter will be the subject of further discussion. I look forward to completion by the HSE of initial testing of the recommendations in selected regions in 2011 and to an expanded roll-out beyond these areas.

I am unaware of particular industrial relations issues which may serve to impede progress. I recently convened a meeting with IMPACT to discuss a range of issues of mutual concern, including implementation of this report.

In addition to progressing the implementation of the specific recommendations contained in the PA Report, the HSE is also in the process of strengthening its capacity to deliver on the necessary changes and reforms required. In this context, I raised in recent months the need for the appointment of an individual at National Director level who has a proven track record to lead the reform of Children and Family Services. The HSE was very receptive to the proposal and to the need for the appointment of a person who would have the authority to deliver on the wide and ambitious reform programme in this area. The post-holder will lead structural, information, and managerial improvements within a clear service model that focuses on best outcomes for families and children. The appointee will have oversight responsibility for ensuring that services are delivered appropriately, safely and of a high quality in line with statutory obligations. This will be the second senior management appointment in this area and it builds on the recruitment in 2009 of a new Assistant National Director with dedicated responsibility for Children and Family services..

The recruitment process for the new National Director of Children and Family Services is at the final stage and an announcement will be made very shortly by the HSE in this regard.