John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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634. To ask the Minister for Health when he will be publicising the Higgins Report into the reconfiguration of hospital groups; and if the South East Hospital Group will be fragmented or affected in any way. [2847/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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654. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the planned hospital groupings with particular reference to a hospital (details supplied) in County Laois [2978/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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655. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the planned hospital groupings with particular reference to a hospital (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2979/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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656. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the planned hospital groupings with particular reference to a hospital (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2980/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 654 to 656, inclusive, together.

Recommendations on the formation of specific groups and arrangements for the management and governance of all groups have been drafted as part of a report on the establishment of hospital groups as a transition to hospital trusts. This report is based on a comprehensive consultation process, as well as a significant number of submissions from stakeholders and individual citizens. These recommendations have been considered and endorsed by a Strategic Board composed of representatives with national and international expertise in health service delivery, governance and linkages with academic institutions. The report on the establishment of hospital groups as a transition to independent hospital trust will be presented formally to me by the Chair of the Strategic Board, Professor John Higgins, in the near future. I will prioritise consideration of that report, which will then be submitted to and presented to Government for decision on the hospital groups composition in light of the recommendations of the Report.