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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Health Board Service Plan.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

40 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to the proposals set out in the Eastern Regional Health Authority service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/01]

The requirement on the Eastern Regional Health Authority and other health boards regarding the preparation of a service plan arises from the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1996.

This legislation requires me to issue a determination regarding the level of funding approved for the year in question – Section 5, Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996. The authority-health board must then prepare a service plan, setting out the services to be provided within the funding limits approved – Section 6, Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996. It is important to note that under the legislation the matter of approving the service plan is a reserved function of the Authority/Board – Section 6, Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996.
Following authority-board approval the service plan is submitted to my Department where it is reviewed by officials and subsequently discussed with the relevant chief executive officer and his or her team. Whilst I have no authority under the legislation to approve a service plan, the review carried out within my Department serves to assure me that policy issues, services and other developments funded in the determination are appropriately covered in the authority's plan for 2001 and that the overall content can be delivered in the context of the approved funding.
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