Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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207. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the promised review of the religious patronage and ownership of hospitals and associated facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I announced the establishment of the Review Group on the role of Voluntary Organisations in the provision of publicly funded health and personal social services on 21 July, 2017. The Review Group was established by the Government in order to:

- examine current arrangements with regard to the role of voluntary agencies in the provision of services across the health and social care sector;

- consider the issues currently arising, and those that are likely to arise in the future, and

- make recommendations on how the relationship between the State and voluntary organisations should evolve in the future.

The Review Group members, Dr. Catherine Day (Chair), Prof. Jane Grimson and Prof. Deirdre Madden, commenced work in September, 2017. The Group is committed to open dialogue without any predetermined positions and has embarked on an initial fact finding phase and engagement process with key stakeholders on the role of voluntary organisations in this regard. It is expected that they will engage in a broader consultation process next year.

I expect that the Group will report to me within a year.