Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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126. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether Sláintecare is a comprehensive reform action plan or implementation plan for the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8846/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Sláintecare report represents a significant milestone in our political and health policy history.  It is the first time in the history of the State that cross-party consensus of this scale has been achieved on health policy. It provides a once in a generation opportunity to achieve the most comprehensive reform of our health services ever undertaken and to improve health outcomes for our population. Having supported the work of the Committee since its establishment, I am eager to harness the consensus achieved to drive reform of our health services.

Implementing large-scale reform of this nature requires a significant programme of work, and this work is underway. It was acknowledged in the Sláintecare report that more detailed consideration of issues including key actions, deliverables, costings, timelines and key performance indicators would be required as part of the implementation process in Sláintecare.

To that end, my Department is currently preparing an implementation plan in response to the Sláintecare report.  This process is at an advanced stage, and officials from my Department are now engaging with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter.  It is my intention to bring this plan to Government shortly.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Health the advice received by his Department in relation to the costings in Sláintecare; if his Department or others are costing the proposals separately; when this is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8847/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Committee on the Future of Healthcare engaged the Centre for Health Policy in Trinity College Dublin to assist it with its deliberations. As part of this process, the Centre provided indicative costings for a range of recommended actions and these are outlined in the report. The Committee acknowledge in the report that these costings are only indicative, and that further work will be required by the Implementation Office, the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure effective investment in change.

As the Deputy is aware, I have been supportive of the work of the Committee since its establishment and believe the publication of the Sláintecare report provides us with a once in a generation opportunity to achieve the most comprehensive reform of our health services ever undertaken. The reform plans envisaged in the Sláintecare report will be a significant undertaking and need to be translated into a concrete and phased programme of work. In this regard, my Department is currently developing an implementation plan in response to the Sláintecare report.  This process is at an advanced stage, and officials from my Department are now engaging with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter.  It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in the near future. Consideration of costs is an important part of this process and this will be addressed in the implementation plan.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Sláintecare report; the timeframe for same; if he will meet with the members of the Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare in advance of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8848/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Sláintecare report, produced by the Committee on the Future of Healthcare, represents a significant milestone in our political and health policy history. It is the first time that cross-party consensus of this scale has been achieved on health policy. It provides a once in a generation opportunity to achieve the most comprehensive reform of our health services ever undertaken and to improve health outcomes for our population.

Implementing a large-scale reform of this nature requires a significant programme of work, and this work is underway. My Department is currently preparing an implementation plan in response to the Sláintecare report. This process is at an advanced stage, and officials from my Department are now engaging with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter. It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in the near future. Recruitment is also underway for an Executive Director for the new dedicated Sláintecare Programme Office which is being established. I was also pleased to be able to announce a substantial commitment of nearly €11 billion to capital investment across our health services over the next decade as outlined in the National Development Plan published last week. This investment will support new capacity development and provide a catalyst for reform.

I will meet with a representative group from the Committee on the Future of Healthcare next week to provide a further update.

I am confident that the period ahead will see a notable advancement in the implementation of Sláintecare in a manner that will build momentum and support for the long-term reform of our health and social care services.