Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the Health Service Executive Regional Plan 2012 for the South [16263/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Regional Service Plan for the South sets out the type and volume of service the HSE will provide directly, or through a range of funded agencies, in that region during 2012. In line with the National Service Plan, the Regional Plan was prepared in the context of the challenges faced by the health services this year in terms of reduced staffing levels, and a reduced budget, combined with increasing demand for services. The Plan also takes account of additional funding being invested this year in areas such as mental health services, the National Clinical Care Programmes and child protection and welfare services.

As outlined in the Plan, the HSE will seek to minimise the impact on front line services in the region by fast tracking new, innovative and more efficient ways of using reducing resources. It should be noted in this context, that this region successfully delivered its services within budget in 2011. New models of care will be introduced across all services, which will treat patients at the lowest level of complexity and provide quality services at the least possible cost. The roll-out of the National Clinical Care Programmes and Special Delivery Unit initiatives will also deliver greater productivity.

My Department continues to work with the HSE to mitigate the impact of retirements and to ensure that the contingency plans are operating satisfactorily and that all critical front line services continue to be delivered across all regions. This includes using the provision of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, and maximising redeployment to achieve more efficient delivery of services. Staff resources will continue to be allocated to areas of greatest priority. Clearly, the need for dynamic and pro-active management of the impact of reduced staffing and budgets will continue throughout the year and in this context, the National and Regional Service Plans, including for HSE South, will be subject to continuous review.