Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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688. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date on the establishment of an Integrated Care Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36307/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I believe that structural reform of the health service is key to addressing the problems within our current health system and is also critical in the journey to UHI. Getting the structure right will be a complex task and as such, each phase of the transition will be evaluated carefully as we progress towards UHI. The Government has committed to a major programme of reform, involving the dissolution of the HSE and the assuming of its functions by other agencies including a Healthcare Commissioning Agency (previously described as an Integrated Care Agency), independent Hospital Trusts, a health and well-being agency and other bodies as appropriate. This structural change represents a major programme of work. Each element of the structural reform will need to be addressed in a co-ordinated manner; none of them can be considered in isolation. The establishment of a Healthcare Commissioning Agency is currently being examined in this context, and will be advanced as soon as possible.