Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:4 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to appoint the Ombudsman dealing with health matters as outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, 1993-1997.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remit of Ombudsman.
The Programme for a Partnership Government indicated that the remit of the Ombudsman would be extended to cover patients' rights.
The issues which arise in connection with the extension of the remit of the Ombudsman to cover patients' rights are being examined by me at present and I will make a decision on the matter in due course.
As the Government has been considering this matter for the past 12 months, will the Minister indicate how long more he intends considering it before extending the remit of the Ombudsman to cover patients' rights?
I am acutely aware that this is the Deputy's first Question Time as Fine Gael spokesperson on Health, but I have not been idle for the past 12 months. As other spokespersons on Health will be aware, it has been a rather busy 12 months in the health area. We have been working for a long time on a national health strategy which, I hope, will be ready for publication shortly. This issue will be considered in the context of that strategy.
As a member of a health board for the past 12 years, I assure the Minister that I have been monitoring his activities over the past 12 months and, I hope, to continue to do so. However, this does not answer the question. In view of the progress he has achieved in this area to date, will the Minister indicate when he may be in a position to accede to my request?
We are having an element of repetition.
I am not in a position to give a date to the Deputy. A number of issues arise, not least of which is that discussions will have to take place with the Ombudsman. The most effective way of achieving the objective of the Programme for Government — which I had a hand in preparing is to have a health service with an effective appeals mechanism. The protection of patients' rights is what I seek and I will do that as quickly as I can.