Dan Neville
Ceist:392 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Government has plans to transfer supplementary welfare allowance to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. [21841/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Reorganisation.
On 18 June last the Government announced the most far-reaching health service reform programme in over 30 years. In order to increase the effectiveness of the health system generally, and the capacity to deliver this reform agenda, it is important that the health service is fully concentrated on addressing its core health objectives.
The reorganisation of the Department of Health and Children was a key element of the reform programme. Within the new system the Department's key roles will be centred on policy analysis and formulation, determining the levels of service that it requires to be delivered for the resources provided and holding the delivery system to account for its performance. The role of the Department of Health and Children will be restructured around these key objectives and priorities.
A series of action projects have been established to progress the reform programme in line with the Government decision including a project on the restructuring of the Department of Health and Children. This group has already begun its work. In addition, and in line with the Government decision, the Department in consultation with the Departments of Finance and the Taoiseach is reviewing the capacity of the system to deliver on its core objectives. The question of transferring functions such as those adverted to by the Deputies is being addressed in this context.
Dan Neville
Ceist:393 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to transfer the environmental health section of his Department to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. [21842/03]
On 18 June last the Government announced the most far reaching health service reform programme in over 30 years. In order to increase the effectiveness of the health system generally, and the capacity to deliver this reform agenda, it is important that the health service is fully concentrated on addressing its core health objectives. The reorganisation of the Department of Health and Children was a key element of the reform programme. Within the new system the Department's key roles will be centred on policy analysis and formulation, determining the levels of service that it requires to be delivered for the resources provided and holding the delivery system to account for its performance. The role of the Department of Health and Children will be restructured around these key objectives and priorities.
A series of action projects have been established to progress the reform programme in line with the government decision including a project on the restructuring of the Department of Health and Children. This group has already begun its work. In addition, and in line with the Government decision, the Department in consultation with the Departments of Finance and the Taoiseach is reviewing the capacity of the system to deliver on its core objectives. The question of transferring functions such as those adverted to by the Deputies is being addressed in this context.