Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

208. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of running the emergency department task force; the cost that would be associated with establishing this on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/17]

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

The Emergency Department Taskforce (EDTF) was convened in December 2014 to provide focus and momentum in dealing with the challenges presented by ED overcrowding. The EDTF Implementation Group, co-chaired by the HSE Director General and the INMO General Secretary meets on a regular basis to oversee implementation of the ED Taskforce Action Plan and monitor ED performance. The EDTF Implementation Oversight Group has met seven times over the course of 2016 and into 2017; most recently on the 6 January 2017.

The only costs associated with the Emergency Department Taskforce are those related to servicing the meetings of the group for example catering requirements and these costs are covered by the HSE who provide administrative support to this group. EDTF delegates from outside Dublin area claim travel and subsistence as appropriate, in accordance with the HSE's National Financial Regulation NFR-05, and these costs are also covered by the HSE. My Department is not currently aware of any review of the cost of establishing the EDTF on a permanent basis but in its current format the costs involved would only pertain to the costs related to servicing the meeting as set out above.