Health Care Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Questions (107)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

107. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will make available all of the documentation provided by officials in his Department to Independent Deputies during the course of negotiations for the new programme for Government; the clinical analysis that was undertaken by his officials before any of these measures were agreed; and his views on the impact on national health policy of local agreements, which may not take full cognisance of national health policy considerations and best clinical practice. [13732/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Officials from the Department of Health met with a wide range of Deputies during the course of negotiations for the Programme for a Partnership Government. The purpose of these meetings was to provide factual information to Deputies and answer technical queries raised by them including, if requested, clinical analysis. No specific briefing documentation was drafted for these meetings.

The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of commitments for the health sector. A key commitment is the establishment of an Oireachtas Committee to develop cross party consensus on the future of the health service. As I have said, I believe the health service would benefit enormously from a single unifying vision that we can all get behind and that can help to drive reform and development of the system over the next ten years.

If the Deputy has a query about a specific measure raised during the meetings, I would be happy to address it on receipt.