Notwithstanding the difficult financial environment, the Government has made available additional resources to assist the HSE in responding to priority demographic and other needs, particularly for older people, children and cancer care, and to support ongoing reform of the public health services. In addition, a minimum of €17m is available in Innovation funding from the total provision of €33m previously made available to support innovation in service delivery. It is expected that more funding will be released during the course of this year from projects approved in 2008 that have completed their funding phase.
I believe the arrival of a National Director of Quality and Clinical Care, Assistant National Directors for Care Groups and Clinical Directors under the new consultants' contract provides an opportunity to accelerate service reform. I have advised the HSE that I am happy for consideration to be given to how the Innovation Fund can be used to support once-off, start up costs associated with the implementation of care pathways so as to improve quality and eliminate unnecessary cost. I have asked the HSE to set out the proposed approach to the use of the Innovation Fund in the National Service Plan 2010. The Plan is currently under consideration by my Department and once approved, it will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published. Progress on the Innovation Fund will be reported in the HSE's monthly performance reports on the Plan.