David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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626. To ask the Minister for Health when the 2021 HSE National Service Plan will be complete; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31267/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Work is already underway between my Department and the HSE on the National Service Plan 2021.

The Legislation (Health Act 2004 as amended) outlines the timeframes that must be adhered to in the publication of the Plan. This outlines that my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2021 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of this determination, the Executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for 2021 for my approval.

Following the submission of the service plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and either:

a) approve the service plan in the form it is submitted,

b) approve the service plan with such amendments as I, having consulted with the Executive, may determine, or

c) issue a direction to the Executive to amend 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.