Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive tendering process for payroll services will be offered only to Irish service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly T.D.

One of the key commitments in the Public Service Reform Plan is to identify and evaluate new business models and opportunities to support the delivery of non-core processes and services. External Service Delivery is an area that can potentially deliver a range of benefits for the provision of health services. These include both cost and efficiency savings stemming from better work and management practices. The Health Sector, along with Education, Justice and Local Government Sectors, are required to prepare   and implement detailed benefits-driven external service delivery plans. This plan is currently being prepared by my Department in conjunction with the HSE.

The option of external delivery of the HSE payroll is currently being explored. In the event of a tendering process, the process will be in line with EU Public Procurement Directives.