asked the Minister for Health if he will state when it is proposed to make available to the public the White Paper, outlining the Government's proposals for a reorganisation and extension of the public health and medical services, which was in an advanced state of preparation a year ago, and the publication of which was then promised at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Health and Medical Services.
The preparation of a draft of a White Paper on the reorganisation and extension of the health services had, as the Deputy indicates, reached an advanced stage of preparation a year ago and it was hoped at that time that it would be soon published. Then it was subsequently decided to establish a new Department of Health under a separate Minister, further consideration of the White Paper had to be deferred until the new Minister had been appointed and assumed responsibility for the statutory functions involved. Since I was recently accorded responsibility for the administration of the Department of Health, I have been giving close consideration to the matters of policy to be reviewed in the programme of reform. I am not yet in a position to indicate the precise date by which the White Paper will be published, but it is my earnest desire that it be made available for public consideration at the earliest possible date and I am pressing forward its preparation accordingly.