Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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688. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the measures he is taking to reduce the risks to public health from continuing to utilise ageing and obsolete medical equipment in hospitals and other healthcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13166/19]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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689. To ask the Minister for Health the reports commissioned by the HSE from companies (details supplied) regarding the use of obsolete or ageing medical equipment in the health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13167/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 689 together.

Both reports referred to by the Deputy were commissioned by the Health Service Executive and relate to an audit of the status of medical equipment in the public health service and research that supports the health service in planning and prioritising equipment replacement to facilitate quality, safe care and the best use of capital resources.

The Health Service Executive operates an Equipment Replacement Programme as part of its capital planning process each year. This is based on a risk analysis of existing devices including medical, diagnostic and radiology equipment.

The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.

I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with details of the programme.