A major restructuring of the HSE has been put in place with the formal establishment of new directorates.

However, under Health Minister James Reilly's reform plans, this will only be an interim arrangement, as the HSE is expected to be abolished within the next two years.

The interim restructuring was formnally put in place yesterday with the enactment of the HSE (Governance) Act.

HSE Director General-Designate Tony O'Brien, who was appointed last year, now becomes Director General, while seven other directorates covering areas such as hospital care, mental health and social care have been formally set up.