Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
293. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether continued funding of non-statutory bodies is explicitly linked to demonstrated performance against agreed objectives; and if so, the mechanisms used to assess performance and determine funding continuation or adjustment. [27830/26]
View answerThe All Island Institute of Public Health (IPH) is the only non-statutory body that receives funding directly by the Department. This is due to its specific nature as an all island body that was set up prior to the signing of the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement in 1998. The IPH provides support on public health policy to the respective Departments of Health and Chief Medical Officers in both jurisdictions.
The Corporate Strategy and annual work plans of the IPH are jointly agreed between the Departments of Health in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Independent Board of the IPH. These plans reflects the joint long term vision for the IPH on an all-island basis and the annual objectives toward achieving this. The IPH uses research and evidence to inform public health policy, with the aim of improving population health, reducing health inequalities and improving health equity. Performance in this instance is therefore based on the production of research and policy advice and in the main is assessed by the Departmental officials that liaise with the IPH directly. The IPH also provides supports, such as acting as the chair and the secretariat for the North South Alcohol Policy Advisory Group.
In relation to the determination of funding continuation and adjustment, the IPH is funded directly by the Department and as such is subject to the annual estimates process.
