Govt announces rationalisation of health agencies

The Government has announced plans to slash the number of agencies operating within the health sector.

A total of 15 agencies will face amalgamation or integration as part of the move.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Irish Medicines Board and the Office of Tobacco Control will be combined to form a new Public Health and Medicines Safety Authority.

Six other agencies are to be integrated into the Health Service Executive, three agencies are to be integrated into the Department of Health and Children and another three into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

Health Minister Mary Harney says the move is aimed at streamlining service delivery, professional registration and policy-making in a number of areas.