Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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472. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline he is working towards for recruitment of chief executives for the new regional health areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/23]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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473. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to publish a plan in relation to the role of the HSE centre following implementation of regional health areas; the timeline he is working towards for publication; if this plan will include provisions for voluntary redundancy or other exit routes, in view of recent comments from the CEO of the Health Service Executive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 473 together.

The Government is committed to the implementation of Regional Health Areas (RHAs), as outlined in the Programme for Government. It is intended that RHAs will commence operation from 2024 and that further reforms and devolution of authority will take place on a phased basis through 2024 and 2025.

As the Deputy is aware, a Memorandum on next steps, the programme of work, and timelines for RHA implementation was approved by Government in April 2022. This included a commitment to develop an RHA Implementation Plan, which is currently being finalised following feedback from stakeholders and direct input from the new CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

While finalisation of the implementation plan has been progressed, other important pieces of work have also been developed. This includes work on the development of a population-based approach to service planning and resource allocation, and preparation for the new governance arrangements and leadership teams.

The RHA Implementation Plan will outline the approach to RHA planning and design in line with the overall design principles and objectives of Sláintecare, and will set out a high-level programme of work for 2023, with a view to RHAs commencing operation in 2024.

To this end, the planned realignment of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations to RHA geographies will be a priority. The new geographic teams will continue to progress integrated care pathways and improved ways of working between hospitals and communities in 2023 and 2024.

Contingent on Government approval of the RHA Implementation Plan, proposed next steps for RHA implementation through Q3/Q4 2023 include:

• aligning geographies and moving the management of particular Hospitals or Local Health Offices (LHOs) to other existing Community Healthcare Organisations or Hospital Group as appropriate;
• merging the teams in new geographies and implementing new integrated care pathways and improved ways of working between hospitals and communities;
• developing, agreeing, and implementing a transition strategy for staff, as well as any required exit mechanisms, as the HSE Centre is being scaled back and regional entities are resourced and operationalised; and
• appointing new leadership teams (including chief executives for the new RHAs).