Written answers
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Healthcare Policy
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
569. To ask the Minister for Health if he can provide information on the new agency being set up to deal with emerging health threats; who is involved in the design, creation of terms of reference and membership of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4283/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In July 2021, the Minister for Health and Government agreed to establish a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group to examine the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report of the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group went to Government on 6 September 2023 and following a government decision, the report was published.
Following publication of the report, Government also agreed to the appointment of an independent expert who will design a dedicated, emerging health threats function, building on existing assets and infrastructure to focus on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging threats to public health. On 21 November, the Minister for Health announced the appointment of Professor Mary Horgan to this role and it is expected that her proposal on the optimal institutional arrangements will be bought to Government in the middle of 2024.
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
570. To ask the Minister for Health if he can provide information on what aspects of public health it is envisioned the new agency being set up to deal with emerging health threats will deal; if the agency will deal only with infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness; what definition of "emerging threats to public health" will be used; if threats to public health will be broader to deal with risk factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4284/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In July 2021, the Minister for Health and Government agreed to establish a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group to examine the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report of the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group went to Government on 6 September 2023 and following a government decision, the report was published.
Following publication of the report, Government also agreed to the appointment of an independent expert who will design a dedicated, emerging health threats function, building on existing assets and infrastructure to focus on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging threats to public health. On 21 November, the Minister for Health announced the appointment of Professor Mary Horgan to this role and it is expected that her proposal on the optimal institutional arrangements will be bought to Government in the middle of 2024.
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
571. To ask the Minister for Health who is working on the proposal on the scope and functions of the new agency being set up to deal with emerging health threats; what unit has responsibility for this within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4285/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In July 2021, the Minister for Health and Government agreed to establish a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group to examine the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report of the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group went to Government on 6 September 2023 and following a government decision, the report was published.
Following publication of the report, Government also agreed to the appointment of an independent expert who will design a dedicated, emerging health threats function, building on existing assets and infrastructure to focus on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging threats to public health. On 21 November, the Minister for Health announced the appointment of Professor Mary Horgan to this role and it is expected that her proposal on the optimal institutional arrangements will be bought to Government in the middle of 2024.
No comments