Health Services Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2014

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Ceisteanna (668)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

668. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if there will be a change in the manner in which parliamentary questions are answered by his Department when the ongoing reform of management and governance of the Health Service Executive is completed in order that he will provide direct reports on matters relating to health rather than continuing to seek to have the Health Service Executive to provide reports on matters raised in a significant number of parliamentary questions addressed to him. [28992/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As Minister for Health I am accountable to the Oireachtas for the health services but it is appropriate that the Health Service Executive answer directly questions that relate to day - to - day operational matters. The HSE currently responds in this way to around half of the 7,000 parliamentary questions tabled for my answer annually. I can assure the Deputy that ensuring comprehensive, accurate and timely responses to parliamentary questions is a priority for me as part of the reform of the health services.