asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the general classification of decisions which may be taken by each of the health boards; and if he will outline those which must be referred to his Department for prior approval.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Board Decisions.
28.
All decisions necessary for the discharge of the statutory services for which the health boards are responsible fall to be made by the health boards or their chief executive officers, subject to the statutory regulations and the directives and guidelines currently in operation. The matters on which decisions must be specifically referred by health boards for prior approval to my Department may be summarised under the following headings:—
(i) estimates of annual revenue and capital expenditure;
(ii) proposals involving increases in approved budgets;
(iii) proposals for increases in numbers of officers, other than hospital consultants, increases in remuneration and changes in conditions of service of officers;
(iv) proposals for engagement of technical consultants on major capital works;
(v) placing of contracts on major capital works;
(vi) proposals for change of user, significant additions to, replacement of, extensions to or provision of new institutional facilities.
It is my aim to bring about a maximum delegation of responsibility to the health boards, within guidelines. This cannot, however, be fully realised until the staffing of health boards has been completed along the lines already agreed and until integrated budgeting and information systems have been developed and installed. The completion of these tasks is now being pursued actively.