Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1088. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to recent media reports (details supplied) of his plans to appoint a health tsar; the specific remit of this role; the timeframe for their appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/17]
View answer1089. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a clinic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37826/17]
View answer1238. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to implement the recommendations in the Sláintecare report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/17]
View answer1287. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken in respect of the cross-party Sláintecare plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1088, 1089, 1238 and 1287 together.
As the Deputies are aware, I supported the establishment of the cross-party Committee on the Future of Healthcare and have consistently supported its work. I have welcomed the publication of the Sláintecare report and in particular I have been encouraged by the level of cross party and stakeholder support that it has attracted.
I am committed to making tangible and sustainable improvements in our health services and the Committee’s work now provides a framework to do this. I have briefed Government colleagues on the report and I have received approval to move ahead with the establishment of a Sláintecare programme office. This office will be tasked with implementing a programme of reform, as agreed by Government, arising from the Sáintecare Report. It will be led by a senior executive with the appropriate experience and skillset. I expect the recruitment process to commence very shortly. Recruitment will be by way of open competition.
In parallel, work is underway to develop a detailed response to the report for consideration by Government in December. The report is wide reaching and it is important that appropriate time is allowed for it to be fully considered and for implementation arrangements to be properly designed.
As set out at the outset, we now have a level of consensus and support for delivering a real improvement in our health services that is unprecedented. I look forward to continued constructive engagement across all parties on this very important agenda.
