Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
1177. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department relies solely on statutory financial audits conducted under the Companies Act 2014 to discharge its oversight responsibilities in respect of the Institute of Public Health; and if not, to specify any additional governance or performance oversight mechanisms in place. [30187/26]
View answer1183. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that the current oversight arrangements in place for the Institute of Public Health meet the standards expected under the Public Spending Code and wider public financial management guidelines; and if so, the basis for that assessment. [30194/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1177 and 1183 together.
The 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.
Statutory financial audits are conducted in full compliance with the Companies Act 2014, in conjunction with an independent Board, an Oversight Agreement, an Audit and Risk Committee, Annual General Meeting and Annual and Quarterly Oversight meetings, provides ample opportunity to ensure that the Department and Board of the IPH are satisified that the IPH acts in accordance with the principles of the Public Spending Code and more than satisfies its financial and governance obligations.
The oversight agreement of the IPH was jointly agreed by the Departments of Health in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Independent Board of the IPH. Therefore the oversight of the IPH is decided jointly in accordance with the statutory requirements in both jurisdictions. The Oversight Agreement sets out the formalised governance requirements for the IPH and are a condition of funding.
