asked the Minister for Health the names and functions of the commissions, committees and State-sponsored bodies abolished by him during his term of office to date; and the names and functions of the commissions, committees and State-sponsored bodies set up by him or proposed to be set up by him since taking office.
Written Answers. - State Bodies.
197.
The Health Education Bureau was abolished with effect from 31 December 1987. The function of the bureau related primarily to the dissemination of information and development of education related to health. No other bodies under the aegis of my Department have been abolished in the period March 1987 to date.
I have established a number of new structures since taking up office as follows:
1. Commission on Health Funding
The functions of the Commission are to examine the financing of the health services and to make recommendations on the extent and source of the future funding required to provide an equitable comprehensive and cost effective public health service and on any changes in administration which seem desirable for that purpose.
2. Health Promotion
The new structure for health promotion introduced in January 1988 operates at three levels namely: a health promotion unit within the Department of Health which apart from the development of health education is also responsible for the development of a wider policy of health promotion; an advisory council on health promotion set up to "examine those public policies which impact on health and where desirable, to make recommendations for the re-orientation of these policies with a view to promoting the health of the Community"; and a Committee of Ministers, chaired by the Minister for Health and including the Ministers for Agriculture, Education, Energy, the Environment and Labour, reflecting the need for an inter-sectoral approach to health problems and the collective commitment of the Government in this regard.
3. Drug Treatment Centre Board
A body has been established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1961, to organise and administer an out-patient drug treatment service replacing the service previously in place at Jervis Street Hospital.