Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to restructure accident and emergency departments in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10269/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Last May I announced a reorganisation of public hospitals into more efficient and accountable hospital groups that will deliver improved outcomes for patients. This represents the most fundamental reform of the Irish acute hospital system in decades. Each group of hospitals will work together as single cohesive entities managed as one, to provide acute care for patients in their area, integrating with community and primary care. This will maximise the amount of care delivered locally, whilst ensuring complex care is safely provided in larger hospitals.

I have established a Strategic Advisory Group to provide objective advice and expertise to my Department and the HSE relating to the establishment of hospital groups. Groups will be required, within one year, to develop a strategic plan which will outline their plans for future services within the group area and the role of hospitals within each group will be considered in detail in the context of this strategic plan. Consideration of the configuration of acute services, including emergency services, will take place in the context of the establishment of the hospital groups, the development of their strategic plans, and the opportunity to improve access and services for patients.