Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
623. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a patient safety authority still stands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54036/12]
View answerMy Department is continuing to consider the options and possible organisational structures of the Patient Safety Agency (PSA) taking account of the international experience and the existing and emerging structures and organisations in the Irish system. The role and inter-relationship of the PSA with the reforming health system needs to be carefully designed and developed. The Department is liaising with the Health Service Executive on the details surrounding the establishment of the PSA to ensure an identifiable and distinct leadership responsibility for patient safety and quality at national level having regard to the need for a robust quality and safety function within the new delivery structures of the Reform Programme. Our intention is to establish a Patient Safety Agency on an administrative basis in 2013.
