Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

594. To ask the Minister for Health the exact areas of responsibility of each Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22084/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are four Ministers of State in my Department:

Finian McGrath, T.D. is Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities. This will include specialist health and personal social services for adults and children with disabilities, the Reform Programme for health-funded disability services, the proposed new statutory Transport Support Scheme and the funding and commissioning of disability services, including personalised budgets.

Helen McEntee, T.D. is Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People. This will include Mental Health residential and community based services, review of Vision for Change policy on Mental Health as well as the National Strategy on Suicide Prevention. In relation to care for Older People, the role will include responsibility for the Nursing Home Support Scheme, residential care, community supports and home care services.

Catherine Byrne, T.D. is Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy. In respect of her role in the Department of Health, Minister Byrne will be responsible for all matters relating to co-ordination and development of the National Drugs Strategy and will be delegated functions also relating to the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016 which is due to complete its passage through the Oireachtas this week.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, T.D. is Minister of State for Health Promotion. This will include all matters relating to Health Promotion and in particular the recently established programme on health and wellbeing under the Healthy Ireland Framework and the National Physical Activity Plan. This area of responsibility will also include important health protection measures.