Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made by the Health Service Executive and hospital groups in developing three-year strategic plans; the measures that will be included to facilitate staff who wish to transfer between hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7445/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The reform of our acute hospital services into Hospital Groups is an absolute priority for the Government. As the Deputy is aware, one of my Department's priorities for 2015 is to get all of the Hospital Groups up and running as single cohesive entities.

A key step in this regard will be the development of Hospital Group Strategic Plans. The Strategic Advisory Group, established to provide objective advice and expertise on the implementation of Hospital Groups, is currently finalising a guidance paper on developing the strategic plans. This guidance will ensure a coherent approach nationally and will be provided to the Hospital Group Chairs to inform and assist them in developing their strategic plans in 2015. I understand that the Systems Reform Division in the HSE has also been engaging with the Group Chairs and Group CEOs and will be providing them with assistance in the development of their plans.

Essentially, in developing their plans, Hospital Groups will be expected to demonstrate a co-ordinated approach to the planning and delivery of services within and across the hospital groups, with an increased focus on small hospitals managing routine urgent or planned care locally and more complex care managed in the larger hospitals and appropriate deployment of staff is key to achieving this. Hospital Groups are subject to the Employment Control Framework and Public Service Pay Policy in respect of staff numbers, pay, terms, conditions and other relevant matters. However, as part of the drive to empower management, encourage innovation and ensure autonomy with real accountability, it is intended that the HSE will devolve authority to the Hospital Groups to recruit and deploy staff across the Group.