asked the Minister for Health why he did not circulate the report of his consultants to the members of health boards before their meetings; when such reports were available to him; and if he proposes to circulate them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Health Boards.
2.
Copies of the report of the consultants on management in the health boards were not received in my Department until 27th November, 1970, and then only in limited numbers. The reports were circulated to all members of health boards as soon as possible after that date.
Is the Minister aware that, while the matter of the administrative and headquarters units of health boards was dealt with in that report, one health board decided where such an administrative unit should be sited without having had adequate time to look at this efficiency report? Since the Minister had this report at the luncheon he gave on the Thursday previous to the Monday on which the decision was made, does the Minister not think he should have circulated the report?
There will be meetings later of the health boards to discuss management structure. The report deals with management structure and powers of delegation to the chief executive officers. The report deals with those matters and no others.
Surely the management structure would deal with the siting of administrative units?
It was clearly stated in the Act that it was a matter for health boards to decide. If health boards find difficulty in securing offices they can presumably rescind their resolution and choose some other location.
The by-elections had something to do with it: Manorhamilton and Ballyshannon.