Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health when the Higgins report on the reconfiguration of hospitals in the south east will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Recommendations on the formation of specific groups and arrangements for the management and governance of all groups including the hospitals in the South East, have been included 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 trusts has just been presented to me in the last 48 hours. I intend to prioritise consideration of this report which I will then submit to Government for decision on the composition of hospital groups, in light of the recommendations of the Report.

The Government will then decide on the initial make up of hospital groups which will be established on an administrative basis pending the legislation required to set up hospital trusts by 2015. Before those trusts are established the composition and functioning of the Groups will be reviewed and if changes prove necessary then they will be made with Government approval when the hospital trusts are being formed.