asked the Minister for Health if he will publish at an early date full details of his plans for regionalisation of health services so that there may be full consultations and discussions with all interested parties before any final decisions are made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regionalisation of Health Services.
33.
Mr. O'Malley
I would draw the Deputy's attention to paragraph 131 of the White Paper on the Health Services and their Further Development (Pr. 8653) which expresses the Government's intentions in this respect. In accordance with that paragraph, there will in due course be full consultations with local interests and other representative bodies before final decisions are made on the constitution and functional areas of regional health boards.
The Minister will agree with me that the paragraph is not very informative. My anxiety in asking the question was to ensure that the plan would be furnished, well in advance of the introduction of legislation, to all those who are concerned, including local authorities, together with requisite information as to bed availibility, occupancy, population, medical staff, etc. This information has not been given because of the absence of any reports from the Department of Health in the past nine years.
Mr. O'Malley
The Minister said on 23rd February last in the House that the House will of course be aware that new legislation will be needed to make this change in regional administration and "it is my intention to introduce this legislation so that it can be discussed and enacted this year."
Would the Minister consider circulating something in the nature of a White Paper on regionalisation in advance of the legislation so that views can be obtained before the legislation comes around, as after that it might be a bit late?
Mr. O'Malley
I think one White Paper is enough to be going on with.
The other one is not of much value. We would like to have factual information on which to make a judgment on proposals in regard to regional health boards.
How many White Papers is the Minister responsible for?