Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004
341 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if all parliamentary questions referred to health boards by this Deputy have been answered by the relevant health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/04]
View answer342 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of parliamentary questions by all Deputies referred to health boards for answer for 2003 and 2004; the average length of time it has taken health boards to answer the query; the shortest response time; the longest response time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.
My practice, and that of my predecessors as Minister for Health and Children, is to provide as informative a reply as possible to Dáil questions where the subject matter is appropriate to my Department. Many of these questions asked by the Deputy are concerned with matters which are properly the responsibility of health boards, the ERHA or other statutory agencies which are directly accountable for their own decisions and actions. To facilitate Deputies asking such questions, it is the practice in my Department to forward such questions immediately to the agency in question and to request that they examine the matter raised and reply to the Deputy concerned as speedily as possible.
My Department has taken various measures to emphasise to the management of health agencies the importance of parliamentary and other forms of public accountability as an intrinsic part of the exercise of modern public management. The entire framework for responding to complaints and for addressing public accountability requirements is an integral part of the health reform programme currently being implemented.
