Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
66 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress of the establishment of the health information and quality authority; the purpose of the HIQA, its objective, functions and proposed structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18414/04]
View answerMy Department is working to progress the establishment of the health information and quality authority, HIQA. A project manager has been appointed and it is anticipated that the board of the interim HIQA will be in place by early autumn. The board will be charged with developing a set-up plan for the HIQA, for my approval and with overseeing implementation of that plan.
A key policy aim of the health strategy is to deliver high quality services that are based on evidence-supported best practice. The health information and quality authority is being established to advance this aim. Its responsibilities will be built around three related functions: developing health information; promoting and implementing quality assurance programmes nationally; and overseeing health technology assessment. The structure of the organisation will reflect these functions. The HIQA will subsume relevant functions currently carried out by the national cancer registry, national disease surveillance centre and the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board. The proposed structure of HIQA will form part of the set-up plan.
Initially, the agency will be set up on an administrative basis. The new health Bill currently being drafted to underpin the health service reform programme will provide, inter alia, for the establishment of HIQA on a statutory basis.
