Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Service Commission.

Liz McManus

Question:

125 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the membership and terms of reference of the recently established Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the health service; when he expects the commission to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The membership of the committee comprises:

Professor Niamh Brennan (Chairperson),

Mr. Dónal De Buitléir,

Mr. Michael McLoone,

Mr. John P. Greely,

Mr. Pat Farrell,

Mr. Diarmuid Collins,

Professor Sean Barrett,

Mr. George Mansfield,

Mr. Maurice Tempany,

Mr. Tommy Gorman,

Mr. Dermot Smyth,

Mr. Jim McCaffrey.

The terms of reference of the commission are as follows:

The Value for Money audit of the Health Services identified the need to enhance the capability of the Health Services in regard to: performance measurement and evaluation; management accounting; costing; and associated information systems.

Taking account of these findings and the proposals for developing a Civil Service-wide management information framework the commission will: examine the various financial management systems and control procedures currently operated in the Department of Health and Children, and by the key budget holders in the health boards and in the main spending and service areas of the health sector; assess the various reporting procedures in these services; assess the capacity of the systems and procedures to provide relevant, timely and reliable information, in relation to current expenditure and capital expenditure with particular reference to the measurement of resource use against outcomes and management of resources within budgets; evaluate the capacity of these systems to develop cost consciousness among resource managers and to provide incentives to manage cost effectively; examine international best practice in regard to health service financial management systems, cost control and reporting arrangements; examine how the Estimates in the health area are compiled and allocations finalised and monitored; consider how the presentation of finan cial data can be enhanced so as to provide better information on how service delivery is proceeding; and make recommendations in accordance with its findings, with a view to enhancing the timeliness and quality of financial management information throughout the health services and provided to Departments. The commission will report to the Minister for Finance by end 2002, with appropriate interim reports on any aspects of particular concern.

The Government believes that it is necessary to improve the transparency and effectiveness of financial controls in the health service and I believe that the commission will make an important contribution in that regard. It would be my intention that it should develop recommendations for achieving effective and timely financial management and reporting arrangements throughout all levels of the health system, which will permit better budgetary control and a more informed basis for future decision making.