Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Each application for authorisation to place food consisting of, or containing, genetically
modified ingredients on the markets of EU Member States is considered on a case-by-case
basis. The food in question must be deemed to be safe by both the European Food Safety
Authority and the competent authority in the country of application. The Food Safety Authority
of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority on food safety in Ireland. My Department
has consulted with the FSAI and has been informed that they have received no applications
for the production of GM foods.
Medical Cards
675. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical
card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [7894/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Executive
676. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm and elaborate
on his plans to abolish the Health Service Executive by the end of this year; if he will clarify
specifically the functional areas of responsibility and authority that will reside with his Department
following the abolition of the entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7899/12]
677. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health his plans for Health Service
Executive employees following the planned abolition of the body at the end of this year, specifically
in relation to issues of employee retention, redundancy pacakages, or any requirement
there might be to re-apply to a new organisation which may replace the HSE; and if he will
make a statement on the matter. [7900/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 677
together.
My Department has primary responsibility for advising me on issues relating to national
policy development and review, while the HSE has responsibility for the delivery of health and
personal social services. In line with the Programme for Government commitments, a series of
legislative changes are planned to bring about radical reform of the health services which will
see the introduction of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). As a step towards achieving this
goal, new governance arrangements will be made for the HSE, through legislation to abolish
the Board structure and to replace the Board structure with a directorate structure. These
transitional governance arrangements will be given effect to by legislation which will be
advanced as a priority. There will also be strengthened accountability arrangements for the
HSE.
New administrative arrangements will be put in place in tandem with the proposed transitional
legal structures. The new arrangements will provide clarity as regards the delivery of
the relevant services under the responsibility of the Directors and greater financial transparency
and accountability in assessing those services. The Directorate team will be tasked with running
the health services and preparing for the transformation required in the move to UHI. These
arrangements constitute a step in the process of transformation which will, over time, see the
HSE ceasing to exist, as the health reform programme advances. The dissolution of the HSE
as a legal entity will be a complex task, potentially requiring sequential legislation to provide
for the HSE’s functions to move to other bodies as the health reform programme advances.
631