Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2015
291. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of Departmental officials who are allocated, involved and responsible for the introduction of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28223/15]
View answerThere are currently 6 officials within the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Unit. They comprise 1x Principal Officer, 2x Assistant Principal Officers, 1x Administrative Officer, 1x Higher Executive Officer and 1x Clerical Officer.
In addition to policy development on UHI, the Unit also has responsibility for research and economic support services for the Department. As part of this work, it is responsible for overseeing the three-year research programme on healthcare reform with the ESRI, the first year of which focussed on costing the proposals set out in the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance. This work also involves participation by other senior officials, as necessary, notably as regards participation in the Steering Group overseeing this joint Department/ESRI research programme.
