The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has revealed the four regional centres that will make up the new Health Services Executive (HSE) which comes into operation at the start of next year.
The Western, Southern, Dublin and North-East, and Dublin and Mid-Leinster regions will have their respective headquarters in Galway, Cork, Kells, Co Meath and Tullamore, Co Offaly respectively, Mr Martin said.
"Today's announcement was a further tangible step in progress toward the necessary structural reform of the health system," the Minister added. The HSE will take over the running of the health services from January 1st, 2005.
He said the regional centres were not health boards, but rather "units which will assist in the co-ordination of services delivered through the local health offices." The structure will "improve patient services and minimise disruption for staff working in existing locations", he added.
Chairman of the Interim Health Service Executive, Mr Kevin Kelly said: "Ireland will have a single, unified health service with devolved and empowered decision making at local level."
Last week Prof Aidan Halligan was appointed as chief executive of the Health Service Executive. He will begin his job next Spring.
The Government is now due to publish the legislation allowing for the setting up of the HSE and is also expected to appoint National Directors.
