Eamon Gilmore
Question:56 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider the publication of a Green Paper on the health services. [5704/98]
Written Answers. - Health Services.
The health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, sets out the national strategy for the development of the health services. Since the publication of the health strategy, the Department of Health and Children, with its partners in the delivery of health care, has been pursuing that vision of the health service. Further policy documents have been produced which deal in greater detail with aspects of the implementation of the strategy.
Steady progress has been made in the implementation of the four year action plan which accompanied the strategy. A wide-ranging review of the plan is under way in the Department and 1998 will see the commencement of work on a new strategy for the first decade of the next century. Given the extent of consultation which will take place in the preparation of this strategy, and the range of policy documents published on various aspects of the health services in recent years, I do not propose to publish a Green Paper on the services in the foreseeable future.