James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE service plan will be introduced; the reason for its delay; if it will include initiatives to improve recruitment and retention of mental health staff; if the service plan will plan outcomes for mental health services in view of the fact that there is no clear HSE mental health division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52518/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Act 2004 (as amended), allows me to extend the period provided to the HSE to prepare, adopt and submit its Service Plan, if required and the HSE were most recently provided with an extension until 12th December.   

Following the submission of the National Service Plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and where necessary to seek amendment to, or approve, the plan.  The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.

As the Service Plan for 2019 has not yet been approved, it would not be appropriate to comment on what may appear in the final content of the plan. 

However, it would be expected that the Service plan would outline detail on the health service workforce, including the recruitment and retention of mental health service staff and priorities and actions for mental health services in 2019. 

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE service plan will be compatible with recommendations contained in the Sláintecare report for mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52519/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.