Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
324 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the HSE advisory forums are due to be established; the number of representatives per county; if she has to make a ministerial order and, if so, when she will do so. [2066/05]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the regional health forums due to be established under section 42 of the Health Act 2004. This section of the Act provides for the establishment of regional health forums, not exceeding four, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The function of a regional health forum is to make representations to the Health Service Executive on the range and operation of health and personal social services provided within its functional area. Members will be appointed to a regional health forum by the city and county councils in the forum's functional area. A regional health forum is to be composed of members of each city council and each county council within the functional area of the forum who are to be appointed as members of the forum by that city council or county council.
Details relating to the establishment, composition and operation of the regional health forums will be set out in regulations to be prepared by my Department. It is my intention that these regulations will be completed in the near future to enable the fora to be established as soon as possible.
