Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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503. To ask the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself regarding the HSE's processes for answering parliamentary questions and representations; his plans to initiate a review of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26000/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I and my Ministerial colleagues at the Department of Health, and the Director General of the Health Service Executive take our responsibilities relating to the democratic process and to members of the Oireachtas very seriously.

In 2016 my Department answered 7,189 Parliamentary Questions of which 5,067, that related to service matters or individual queries were referred to the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy. In that same period a total of 5,703 representations were received of which over 2,000 were sent to the HSE for reply.

To ensure that members of the Oireachtas receive as effective a service as possible the HSE has a dedicated Parliamentary Affairs Division (PAD). This is a national office and is responsible for all communication between the Houses of the Oireachtas, Department of Health and the HSE. The Head of PAD reports directly to the Director General. The PAD processes all questions referred to it from the Department and representations received directly from Deputies. To assist members of the Oireachtas in contacting the HSE PAD has a dedicated email address for members pad@hse.ie.

The HSE's performance in replying to PQs and representations is monitored by the Parliamentary Affairs Unit in my Department and they meet regularly with their colleagues in the HSE to review performance.

PAD also makes every effort to facilitate members of the Oireachtas in obtaining information outside the Parliamentary Process. For example in the twelve months to May 2017 there were 28,000 email/phone engagements between TDs and the Primary Care Reimbursement Service on national medical card matters. PCRS have briefed members of the Oireachtas on several occasions as to how they can cater to requests for information outside the parliamentary system.

As noted above I am satisfied that the HSE takes its responsibility to the democratic process seriously and strives to provide as effective a service as possible. Systems are constantly reviewed to ensure they operate as effectively as possible and I have no plans to review processes at this time.