Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:306 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department following his appointment as Minister, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Policy.
In the short time since my appointment I have been reviewing the legislative and other priorities of my Department. When his review is complete I will be announcing a comprehensive programme of action for the health services which will include measures to tackle problem areas, to improve efficiency and accountability, to strengthen the role of general practice as the primary focus of the delivery of healthcare and to increase the emphasis on health promotion. Legislation to amend the Health Act 1970 and the Health (Family Planning) Act, 1979 will be brought before the Oireachtas this year and I propose to publish a Green Paper on Mental Health as a first step towards new legislation in that area.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:307 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the precise actions he intends to take now to promote equality within his Department in general and in particular to promote qualified women to higher posts within his Department and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department fully endorse and implement Civil Service policy regarding equal opportunities for women. Additionally, and in common with other Departments, senior managers have participated in a training course titled Managing Human Resources — The Equal Opportunities Dimension designed to support this policy.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:308 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he will define the new and existing responsibilities of the Minister of State within his Department following the recent changes in the Government, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health has delegated powers and duties in the area of food hygiene; licensing of pharmaceuticals and legislation on misuse of drugs; experiments on living animals and associated matters. The Minister also has responsibility on a non-statutory basis for the co-ordination of national policy and services in relation to drug abuse and for the co-ordination of services in relation to child care.
I am presently considering whether in the interests of the better running of the Department of Health any changes should be made in these delegated responsibilities of Minister of State.