asked the Minister for Health if he will define the role of (a) the Department of Health, and (b) the health boards in the administration of the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health Services.
195.
The role of the Department of Health is to discharge the functions assigned to it under the Health (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Orders, 1947 to 1958 (No. 58 of 1947; No. 256 of 1949; No. 138 of 1950 and No. 202 of 1958). The emphasis which is on particular aspects of its functions vary from time to time to reflect the health needs of the community.
The role of health boards is to discharge the functions assigned to them under Part II of the Health Act, 1970, (No. 1 of 1970) and subsequent enactments. I do not consider it necessary to further elaborate the statutory role of these bodies.