Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2011
475 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Croke Park agreement; if he has received implementation plans for this agreement from his Department and each State agency under his remit; the status of these implementation plans; the discussion he has had with the EU and IMF regarding the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29687/11]
View answerUnder the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, detailed action plans have been developed by my Department, the Health Service Executive and the other statutory agencies under the aegis of my Department. The Action Plans were developed in 2010 and are subject to revision from time to time in the light of changing priorities and circumstances.
Each organisation was required by May 2011 to prepare its first detailed report on the progress being made in implementing its Action Plan and these reports formed part of the first annual review of the Agreement undertaken by the Implementation Body. The second phase of progress reporting on the Agreement is underway at present, with updated progress reports due to be submitted to the Implementation Body during October. Sectoral reports will be examined by the Body and published on its website (www.implementationbody.gov.ie). It is expected that Action Plans will need to be revisited later in the year when decisions have been taken by Government following the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure.
The Public Service Agreement represents a key enabler to the Government meeting its fiscal targets under its obligations under the EU/IMF Joint Programme of Assistance. The Government wishes to honour the commitments given in the Public Service Agreement. However, this will only be possible if the Agreement is implemented in full. The successful implementation of the agreement in the health sector will be dependent on constructive engagement between the parties to achieve significant and meaningful reform in the organisation of services and in work practices.
