Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Health the scope and role of outside management consultants if they are introduced into University Hospital Galway and Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Health if the introduction of outside management consultants into regional hospitals is the first step towards establishing hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31504/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Health if the outside management consultancy positions in regional hospitals have been tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31505/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for Health the cost of tendering for outside management consultancy positions in regional hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31506/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Health if, in advance of the decision to introduce outside management consultants into regional hospitals, consultations were held with interested parties in the Croke Park Agreement; if the move is permissible under the Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31507/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 609: To ask the Minister for Health the number of management posts vacant at the University Hospital Galway and at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31508/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 610: To ask the Minister for Health the number of management posts vacant in each regional hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31509/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 611: To ask the Minister for Health if a value for money, cost benefit analysis and SWOT analysis has taken place in advance of any decision to introduce outside management consultancy positions into regional hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31510/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 to 611, inclusive, together. In order to strengthen the performance of acute hospitals which perform crucial roles within our health service, the HSE has identified a need to have available from time to time Senior Executives, either team-based or individuals, on a short-term basis to strengthen executive teams; lead a project or programme; provide an injection of skills; or assist in the transformation agenda set by Government.

In June 2011, the HSE invited tenders from potential service providers to compete for appointment to a four-year Framework Agreement for Personnel Placement and Supply Services. Under the Framework Agreement, service providers can be asked to source and supply either senior interim managers or more long-term senior management candidates. At present, the HSE is focussing on getting senior interim managers in place.

Following a tender process, a Framework Agreement, involving five companies, was established in September 2011. In October 2011, the five companies were invited to participate in a mini-competition to source and propose candidates for an Interim Management Support Structure for HSE West. The competition has closed and the proposals are being evaluated. As this process is still underway, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on it at this stage.

Under these arrangements it is planned to recruit a Chief Executive Officer for the Galway University Hospitals Group. It is also intended to strengthen management capacity in the HSE Mid-Western region by putting in place a similar Interim Management Support Structure.

It is envisaged that existing managers in these locations will benefit from a transfer of knowledge and skills while working alongside these senior interim managers resulting in the further development of the management and service delivery capability. The information and consultation mechanism used in the context of the planned Interim Management Support Structure for HSE West was in line with the terms of the Public Service Agreement. The HSE engaged with the relevant staff representative body at both a national and local level.

The number of management posts vacant in other regional hospitals other than in the HSE-West is not immediately available. I have asked the HSE to collate this information and reply to the Deputy directly.