A draft copy of the Deloitte and Touche consultancy review of governance and accountability mechanisms in the GMS schemes was received by my Department in February 2003. While the document was being considered by officials in my Department, both the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service (Brennan) and the Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System (Prospectus) reports were published. Since the contents and recommendations of both of these reports are relevant to the subject matter of the GMS report, my Department requested Deloitte and Touche to update the draft in this light, and also having regard to the latest financial data from the General Medical Services Payments Board. The final draft of this document has now been received by my Department. It is my intention to bring this report to Government as soon as possible, at which time its publication and implementation will be discussed.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 19