Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which budgetary constraints have been applied evenly throughout the Health Services with particular reference to ensure the need to maintain frontline services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8033/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 365 together.

The level of health services to be delivered within the available funding has been set out in the HSE National Service Plan, which I approved in January. The National Operational Plan is being developed to support the implementation of the NSP 2013. It is intended to finalise the HSE Operational Plan by end February in parallel with the finalisation of regional service plans, and following finalisation, the HSE Operational Plan: Implementing the HSE National Service Plan 2013 will be published.

As I have outlined in this House on previous occasions, I have instructed the HSE that efficiencies must be achieved in the first instance before patient services are affected, and in this regard patient safety must be paramount. As regards regular monitoring of expenditure, there is intensive engagement between officials from my Department and the HSE each month. My Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE are working collaboratively on a Financial Improvement Programme with a view to strengthening the Executive's financial and performance management and reporting systems during 2013.