Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
344. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 12 March 2019 and the response, the reason the question was referred to the hospital; the reason the response did not issue from him as requested (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15313/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
A parliamentary question can be referred to the HSE for direct reply, when it is considered that the question is more appropriate to the HSE, having regard for the differing remits of the HSE and Department of Health.
The planning and management of future health expenditure is considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need. Following the service planning process, the annual HSE National Service Plan is published, setting out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided in a given year with regard to the funding allocation.
