Vol. 546 No. 3
247 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the costs involved in the production of the new health strategy; the costs of public relations consultants; the costs of the consultative process with individuals and groups; the travel and maintenance costs involved; the projected costs for the roll-out by the health boards involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31884/01]
The new health strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You, provides a coherent strategy for the growth, development, reform and modernisation of the health system over the next seven to ten years. The process of developing the strategy involved a significant investment of resources by my Department and by the participants from the health boards, members of the voluntary and community sector, participants from other Government Departments and national and international experts in the health field. To date, invoices totalling £339,600, 431,200, have been paid by my Department. This includes the costs of the consultative process outlined below.
The strategy was formulated on the basis of widespread consultation with the general public, members of the voluntary and community sector, health service staff at all levels and drew on the experience of experts from Ireland and abroad. This widespread consultative process included a national consultative forum and associated sub-groups on specific aspects of the health strategy, consultation with health board and Department of Health and Children staff, a publicity campaign that resulted in the receipt of over 1,500 submissions from members of the public and over 200 submissions from voluntary and professional organisations and market research. This has resulted in a strategy into which the public and organisations have had a real input. To date, invoices totalling £264,000, 335,210, have been paid in regard to the consultative process.
