Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 January 2012
14 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if it is envisaged that any members of the new Health Service Executive directorate will have a greater level of remuneration than currently exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/12]
View answer22 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if positions for the new health care directorate will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1174/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 22 together.
The Government is committed to a radical reform of the health services which will see the introduction of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). As a step toward achieving this goal, I will be bringing legislation forward involving significant changes in the governance of the HSE. The legislation will abolish the Board of the HSE and will replace the Board structure with a Directorate structure. The purpose of the new Directorate structure is to drive greater transparency, accountability and efficiency, and to reshape the system in order to better support the Government's health reform programme. The Directorate team will run the health services as they exist and prepare for the transformation required in the move to UHI.
The following seven areas will be the subject of a Directorship: — Hospital Care, Primary Care, Mental Health, Children and Family Services, Social Care, Public Health and Corporate/Shared Services. One of the Directors will be appointed as the Director General.
It is envisaged that the Directorate posts will be filled on an accelerated basis in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. The remuneration for these positions will be in accordance with Government policy and will be subject to the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
