Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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110. To ask the Minister for Health the relationship between the Health Service Executive and St. Michael's House in Dublin 9, from the point of view that if somebody has a complaint in relation to the manner in which the House is run, to whom do they submit this complaint. [13522/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including disability services. The HSE either directly provides or contracts disability service providers such as St Michael's House to provide a range of disability services through a service level arrangement (SLA).

Where an individual makes a complaint in relation to the manner in which an agency contracted to the HSE under an SLA is being run, the matter is dealt with in the following manner.

In the first instance, a complainant may write to the Head of Consumer Affairs, Health Service Executive, Oak House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co Kildare; by email to yoursay@hse.ie; via the HSE's website at www.hse.ie or by phone to LoCall 1890 424 555.

When the HSE is informed of a complaint about an agency, theChief Officer in the relevant Community Healthcare Organisation will bring the matter to the attention of the relevant service provider. All service providers are expected to have a suitable complaints process in place. If the complainant remains unsatisfied the matter can then be reviewed by the HSE.

As you may be aware, on 16 December 2014, Mr Tony O'Brien, Director General, HSE announced the appointment of Ms Leigh Gath as "Confidential Recipient" for the Health Service on foot of events at Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co. Mayo. The Confidential Recipient is independent in her functions with the authority to examine complaints or disclosures of abuse of vulnerable persons in receipt of HSE funded services and has the authority to:

- Independently advise and assist individuals on the best course of action to take to raise matters of concern.

- Assist with the referral and examination of concerns.

- Ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by the HSE and its funded agencies.

Ms Gath's contact details are: Ms Leigh Gath, Confidential Recipient for the Health Service, Vocational Training Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Work Email: Phone Lo-call:0890-100014.