Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Health if in the context of reorganisation of the health services, consideration will be given to the establishment of regional bodies consisting of public representatives, the professional stakeholders and patient representatives with a view to restoring a demographic structure nationally at which the specific issues relative to these particular regions can be discussed in detail, senior representatives of which might then be considered for a national body accountable to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43484/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In August, I published the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy which provides the framework within which a system-wide reform programme will be advanced. The Strategy contains specific commitments in relation to improving governance and accountability across the health service.

One of the key actions outlined in the Strategy is to establish an independent Board for the HSE and to reconfigure the HSE to improve accountability and support integrated care. Legislation to establish a Board for the HSE is currently before the Oireachtas. I intend to establish the Board once the legislation has been passed. I have already announced Mr Ciarán Devane as Chair designate of the Board.

More broadly, the task of identifying the optimal set of health structures including national and regional bodies, and the most appropriate governance, accountability and performance framework for the future health system will be an important stream of work under the Sláintecare programme of reforms. As set out in the Implementation Strategy, I am committed to the development of a new system of health structures comprising a leaner national centre with responsibility for national planning, strategy and standard setting, complemented by regional integrated care organisations with responsibility for the planning and delivery of services at a regional level.

As a first step, my Department has undertaken a public consultation regarding the geographical alignment of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. The submissions to the consultation are currently being analysed by my Department and I hope to publish the report of the analysis shortly. This work will inform the development of detailed proposals in this area, including the role and function of regional bodies.