Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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204. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE service plan for 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37359/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Legislation (Health Act 2004 as amended) outlines the timeframes that must be adhered to in the publication of the National Service 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. I formally notified the HSE of its Financial allocation in a ‘letter of Determination’ which issued on 3rd November 2020. 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.  For NSP 2021, the HSE are currently working to a deadline of 24November, however I can if required extend this deadline.

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.