6 Noll 2011, 16:19
Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Dominic Hannigan T.D., has welcomed the publication of the North-South Feasibility Study recommending cooperation in areas of Health on the island of Ireland.
The Study was jointly commissioned by the Irish Department of Health and Children and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland and has put forward ambitious proposals to radically improve our health service.
Deputy Hannigan said: “I welcome the recommendations put forward by the two Health Departments in their joint Study. The proposals, if implemented, will substantially help two separate departments under financial pressures to make better use of their resources, but crucially will result in a better health service for the people.
The study notes that the state of health of the population of the island of Ireland lags behind other western European countries, but offers real opportunities for both North and South to take a coordinated approach to improve the health and social care services available.
I particularly welcome the recommendation of an All-Island Action Plan on Suicide Prevention and plans to include mental health promotion. This is an area of concern that must be addressed immediately – time is not on our side. The report also proposes closer cooperation amongst the two departments and relevant agencies on alert systems for children at risk, fostering care services for children, organ donations, and improving access to radiotherapy care for populations in the North West.”
“The proposed changes should be seen as progressive measures which if implemented will substantially improve our services across the island. At a time when health resources are under pressure, cooperation can make radical improvements. It is crucial that Ministers James Reilly and Edwin Poots take this study forward to bring real improvements to the lives and wellbeing of people on both sides of the border.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chairman: Dominic Hannigan, TD Vice-Chairman: Joe O'Reilly, TD