The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the position regarding this case and reply to the Deputy directly.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. I have announced a ten point action plan on accident and emergency services which is being financed with €70 million current funding and €10 million capital funding. My Department is liaising with the HSE to progress the implementation of the plan.