Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
514. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which she satisfies herself that public funds are being spent in a manner that meets basic standards of governance, safeguarding, and accountability (details supplied); and whether she accepts that reliance on financial audit alone does not constitute effective oversight. [9969/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. In response to a number of parliamentary questions which have previously been answered, I have set out the arrangements in place for two non-statutory bodies funded by my Department. As set out in those responses, it is clear and important to note that my Department does not rely on financial audit alone to provide oversight to non-statutory bodies. I wish to clarify that following further examination, I am now satisfied that one of these, the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), is not such a non-statutory body. ISQua was established in 1985 as a leading organisation dedicated to improving healthcare safety and quality worldwide. A not-for-profit Community, ISQua brings together clinicians, executives, policymakers, regulators, and patient advocates from across 80 countries to support system-wide transformation. While ISQua has an office located in Dublin and receives grant funding from my Department, ISQua retains its individual identity, independence and a global focus, under the direction of its Board and is managed by its Chief Executive Officer. ISQua operates under the requirements of the Charities Governance Code and the Charities Regulator. The governance and oversight arrangements for the Institute of Public Health (IPH) have previously been set out in response to PQs 67017/25, 10006/26, 10007/26, 13608/26, 14675/26, 14676/26 and 14677/26. The Institute of Public Health (IPH), is a North/South Agency and is a company limited by guarantee (CLG). It is required to ensure compliance with relevant company law in both jurisdictions. The IPH operates under a Service Level Agreement with the relevant line unit which provides oversight of the body. Governance meetings between the two sponsor Departments occur on a quarterly basis. The oversight agreement between the two sponsor Departments and the IPH has defined escalation procedures and points of contact. The IPH Code of Governance notes that they voluntarily adhere to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
