Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 November 2012
303. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the date on which legislation will be introduced to change the Health Service Executive governance and organisation structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49096/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 provides for the abolition of the Board structure of the HSE and for a Directorate to be the new governing body for the HSE in place of the Board, headed by a Director General. The Bill also provides for greater accountability of the HSE to the Minister for Health. The Bill is currently before the Oireachtas. It was passed by Seanad Éireann on 24 October 2012 and the next step is for the Bill to be considered by Dáil Éireann.
In tandem with the proposed new governance structure under the Bill, new administrative structures will be put in place within the HSE to reflect the need for a greater operational management focus on the delivery of key services and greater transparency about funding, service delivery and accountability. These new governance and administrative arrangements represent important first steps in the process of delivering the reform agenda contained in the Programme for Government. The next steps, which will include measures to facilitate clearer and better integrated delivery and funding arrangements, are under consideration at present.
