160 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a group exists, appointed by her, which consults on the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the Cork area; if she will name the appointees to that consultative group and the number of times they have met; if they have submitted any report to either herself or the Health Service Executive; furthermore, if she will outline its reporting mechanisms to her and to the Health Service Executive. [22215/10]

To support the reconfiguration of acute hospitals in Cork and Kerry, a non-executive advisory board was established by the HSE in September 2009. The board has 17 members, drawn from business, education and health care fields. Its purpose is to support and advise the HSE as appropriate in relation to the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the region. The board has met on five occasions, twice in 2009 and three times in 2010. The board members receive no remuneration for their participation in this board and give their time and advice freely. The HSE indicates that the membership of the advisory board is as follows: