Vol. 555 No. 2
101 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the commitments given in the national health strategy; the commitments which were to have been implemented by 1 April 2002; the status of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18058/02]
135 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding arrangements which have been put in place to ensure that all the provisions of the national health strategy can be implemented over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18048/02]
349 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the aspects of the ten year plan which have to date been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18406/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 135 and 349 together.
In recent years health has been by far the biggest beneficiary of new resources available for public services. Over the last four years funding on the Irish health service has doubled and indeed the debate on health funding has now moved from resources alone to both resources and reform. I would like to assure the Deputies that the Government is committed to keeping health as a priority area.
The health strategy, Quality and Fairness, outlines the largest expansion in services in the history of the Irish health system. A vision has been set out across the full range of care areas for how the system can develop not just in the short-term but over the next decade to deliver high quality care for all. I am confident that the Government will provide the necessary funding to enable this phased development to take place. In line with the commitment given in quality and fairness, I have established a strategy implementation unit in my Department to drive implementation of the strategy at national level.
The strategy implementation team has responsibility for the preparation of an annual report for the Cabinet subcommittee on implementation of the strategy and is currently engaged in compiling the necessary information for preparation of this important report. I expect to report to the Cabinet subcommittee before the end of the year.
I also intend to produce an end of year report showing those areas where progress on the implementation of the health strategy has been made and I will provide a copy of this report to the Deputies as soon as it becomes available. The Deputies may also wish to note that I am reconvening the national consultative forum on 11 November this year to consider progress reports on the implementation of the strategy and to comment on priorities in the light of progress and emerging trends.
