As Minister for Health & Children, I am politically accountable for developing and articulating Government policy on health and personal social services, and for the overall performance of the health service. My Department's mandate is to support me and the four Ministers of State by advising on policy development and implementation, evaluating the performance of existing policies and service delivery, preparing legislation, and working with other Government Departments, the social partners and international organisations.
The Health Act 2004 requires the Health Service Executive (HSE) to use the resources available to it in the most beneficial, efficient and effective manner, to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is responsible for setting and monitoring standards on safety and quality of health care services in the public sector. The legislation establishing the HSE and HIQA specifically requires them to have regard to the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government to the extent that those policies and objectives may affect or relate to their functions.
My Department does not exist in a vacuum from the rest of the health services, the political system or society generally. My Department and I work on a continuous basis with the HSE, HIQA and other agencies throughout the health sector, to develop and implement policy and strategy in the health sector.