Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
1151. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department was first made aware of systemic governance or clinical oversight failures at Children’s Health Ireland; the manner in which this information was conveyed; the formal actions which were taken by her Department following that awareness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6560/26]
View answer1153. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the assessment which has been carried out by her Department regarding the effectiveness, performance, and accountability of the board and senior executive management of Children’s Health Ireland; whether any findings of underperformance or governance failure were identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6562/26]
View answer1154. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department considers that the repeated governance and oversight failures at Children’s Health Ireland constitute a systemic risk to patient safety; the risk mitigation measures which have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6563/26]
View answer1156. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she retains confidence in the current governance structures of Children’s Health Ireland; the objective criteria that confidence is based; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6565/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1151, 1153, 1154 and 1156 together.
I am very cognisant of the challenges CHI has faced in recent years and am actively driving multiple efforts to address these. This includes strengthening governance and oversight, driving down waiting times, ensuring increased engagement and timely communications with families of patients with a view to building a better and more responsive service. I appointed a new Chair and new Board Members to the Board of CHI to strengthen governance and oversight structures, including members who are also HSE Board Members, and one who is also a member of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.There have been a number of reviews recently focused on the paediatric services in Children’s Health Ireland. The HSE CEO has established the CHI Improvement Steering Group to coordinate oversight of the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews and upcoming reports, in addition to spinal services, and the commissioning of the new hospital. This group, chaired by the REO Dublin Midlands, meets on a monthly basis. In September 2024, I confirmed my intention to integrate CHI into the HSE. The decision is as a result of reflection on the governance structures that make up our health care services, and following engagement with stakeholders, and discussions with Government colleagues. This is a process that began with the appointment of some HSE Board Members to the CHI Board and will transition both operationally and legislatively with implementation in 2027. During this interim period, patients and families can be assured that this reform will not impact on the day-to-day provision of services.
