Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
579. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department applies standardised criteria, guidance, or written policy when determining whether reports concerning bodies under her aegis should be published; and if so, to provide the title and date of such policy. [15924/26]
View answer593. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of External Governance Reviews commenced between 2022 and 2024 that remain open; the average duration of review completion; and whether any review has resulted in referral to internal audit, external audit, or An Garda Síochána. [15985/26]
View answer595. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether summary findings of External Governance Reviews are published; and if not, the reasons for the absence of public transparency in respect of governance findings in publicly funded bodies. [15987/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 593 and 595 together.
I thank the Deputy for his question.
The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) requires that Government Departments review each State body under their aegis, at least once in every five-year period. As required by the Code, the Periodical Critical Review (PCR) would focus on the ongoing business case for the entity, its performance, its efficiency and effectiveness, and its governance arrangements. The PCR is intended to assess the effectiveness of the organisation in delivering its legal mandate, to evaluate the effectiveness, and the ability of the organisation to meet the challenges posed by the environment within which it operates. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) ‘Guide to Periodic Critical Review of Non-Commercial Bodies’ was published in September 2020 and lists the primary requirements for a PCR.
A Periodic Critical Review of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) commenced in 2024 and the final report was published on the 8th of May 2025. Following the completion of this review, the Department has scheduled a multi-year programme to conduct similar reviews for nine additional bodies under its aegis between 2026 and 2028. Consistent with the guiding principles for PCRs outlined in Appendix F of the Code of Practice, these reports will be published following completion to maintain transparency.
