in Health Regulations, 2013

L.N. 387 of 2013

HEALTH ACT, 2013

(ACT XI of 2013)

Functions and Responsibilities of Department for Policy

in Health Regulations, 2013

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by articles 5 and 31 of

the Health Act, the Minister for Health has made the following

regulations:-

(1) The title of these regulations is the Functions and

Responsibilities of Department for Policy in Health Regulations,

2013. (2) These regulations shall be deemed to have come into force

on the 25th October, 2013.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -

"Act" means the Health Act, 2013;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Health.

(1) It shall be the function of the Department of Policy

in Health to generally advise the Minister on all matters related to the

Government’s health policies, to advise on the development of policy

and co-ordination of strategic plans, on the design and

implementation of action plans, and on the evaluation of outcomes in

order to contribute to the sustainability of public health and

healthcare services.

(2) In particular the functions and duties of this Department

shall include

(a) to advise upon strategies and objectives for the

health system;

(b) to collate, analyse and publish epidemiological data

concerning the health status of the nation in order to identify

and prioritize healthcare needs;

(c)

to carry out needs assessments and health system

planning and forecasting;

(d) to develop evidence-based and financially viable

strategies in consultation with stakeholders;

(e)

to engage with relevant stakeholders to implement

policies and strategies;

(f)

to monitor and report on health system performance

and health outcomes;

(g) to advise upon health benefits and new services to

be offered by the public healthcare system after thoroughly

assessing and evaluating their implications, including the

financial implications;

(h)

to conduct health technology assessments;

(i)

to administer health entitlement polices;

(j)

to update the register of health benefits and advise

government on the introduction of any new service;

(k) to commission quality health

services

to

complement the public health care services;

(l)

to organise highly specialised referral schemes and

cross-border initiatives;

(m) to sustain an effective dialogue with whosoever is

involved in the health system and aim for the widest consensus

possible about any matter relevant to health;

(n) to develop partnerships with non-governmental

organisations and private healthcare providers;

(o) to co-ordinate and promote European Union and

international relations;

(p) to maintain national and international networking in

the field of public health and representing government in

international public health related fora;

(q) to cooperate on issues within the remit of the

department, with local and international organisations

particularly with the institutions of the European Union

involved in health;

(r)

to promote research, teaching and training;

(s)

to carry out such other function or functions as the

Minister may from time to time determine and direct;

(t)

to implement any other matter required for the

fulfilment of its mission, and for the execution of duties

pertaining to the State, as established in the Act.

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