Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 January 2011
11 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings that have taken place to implement the terms of the Croke Park deal in the health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1566/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 (the "Croke Park Agreement") enables the introduction of significant transformation in the health sector. This is essential to maintain and improve the quality of services while achieving an ongoing reduction in the cost of delivery of public services.
The Agreement also provides a framework for implementing the changes agreed. This includes a National Implementation Body chaired by Mr. P.J. Fitzpatrick and there is a dedicated implementation body for the health sector which drives implementation of the change agenda in health and reports progress to the National Implementation Body.
Management and staff are working together at local level on an ongoing basis to implement the change agenda. The objective is to resolve issues at local or regional level where feasible and there would be meetings for that purpose between the parties.
The Health Sector Implementation Body has met six times since its establishment in October 2010, which is an average of twice monthly.
