Written Answers Nos. 250-269
251. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in his capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33380/26]
View answerBelow is a table with details of the gifts I received since being appointed as Minister for Finance. All are tokens that I received as a visiting foreign delegation, as described in the Standards in Public Office Commission Information Notice for Office Holders. All gifts are estimated to be under the €650 threshold referenced in the information notice.
|
Date |
Received from |
Token |
Description |
|
4 Dec 2026 |
British-Irish Council (in Cardiff) |
Gift bag |
Tote bag including pamphlet of the city of Cardiff and selection of samples of local products e.g. baked goods |
|
12 Jan 2026 |
President San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank |
Coin |
San Francisco Mint mark coin |
|
13 Jan 2026 |
Mayor of San Francisco |
Cups |
Pair of pewter cups |
|
13 Jan 2026 |
Governor of California |
Food basket |
Local Californian produce for visitors |
|
30 Jan 2026 |
Croatian Minister for Finance |
Book |
History of Croatia |
252. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the funding granted and spent towards coastal erosion and defence works in Waterford, by project, in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; the details of all ongoing projects; the stage and funding commitments of each; the timeline for completion of all ongoing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31975/26]
View answerLocal coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
Minor Works Scheme
The Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was introduced by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide 90% funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding or coastal erosion problems. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. The funding available for each scheme has recently been increased from €750,000 to €2 million. Further details related to this are due to be announced shortly.
The Minor Works Scheme is a demand led scheme. Funding allocated is based on the cost submitted by the local authorities for consideration.
Once funding has been approved it is the responsibility for the local authority to progress the scheme.
Since 2009, OPW has approved 18 projects and some €2m of funding to Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) under the Minor Works Schemes. Some €0.26m of this relates to coastal erosion.
The following funding has been approved for WCCC under the Minor Works Scheme since 2021.
|
Scheme |
Approved |
Project Details |
Funding € |
|
Ardmore Bay |
23/02/2024 |
Study |
19,207 |
|
Ardmore Bay |
27/07/2021 |
Study |
61,815 |
|
Kilfarrassy to Tramore |
01/12/2022 |
Study |
81,724 |
|
Total |
|
|
162,746 |
WCC has submitted additional information in relation to five Minor Works Applications for Ardmore Bay. The OPW is currently considering this information.
Interim Flood Relief Measures
I recently met with the Chief Executives and Directors of Services from the eight local authorities affected by Storm Chandra and thanked the local authorities for their response to those flooding events. I have approved once off funding as an informed response to Storm Chandra. Waterford City and County Council have been allocated €141,525 under these interim flood relief measures.
Flood Relief Schemes in Waterford
In 2018, the Flood Risk Management Plans identified the locations for future flood relief schemes. The delivery model for these is being led by local authorities, through agreement with the County and City Management Association. In line with the agreed national delivery model for flood relief schemes Waterford City and County Council is leading on the delivery of flood relief schemes for Aglish and Ballyduff. Funding for these schemes is available from the Office of Public Works, through the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.
Coastal Monitoring
Tramore, Dungarven and Ardmore were included in the Pilot Coastal Monitoring Survey Programme (CMSP), a five year pilot project which ran from 2020 to 2024. The purpose of the CMSP was to obtain up to date coastal survey data to inform and facilitate enhanced management of the associated coastal risks; to quantify and identify rates of change; identify areas of recovery or accretion; support the development and/or updating of numerical coastal process models to improve our knowledge and understanding of the behaviour and impact of tides, waves and sediment transport at the coast and of how these may change over time and potentially increase risk for coastal communities.
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW is currently developing a national coastal change monitoring programme. In the interim, aerial photography and LiDAR surveys will continue to be conducted in the monitoring areas identified for annual surveys in the Pilot CMSP, including Tramore, Dungarvan and Ardmore.
253. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of WTE staff, by job title working at the John F Kennedy Arboretum as of 24 April 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32115/26]
View answerThe number of WTE staff, by job title, working at the John F Kennedy Arboretum as of 24 April 2026, is set out in tabular form below:
|
Job Title |
Number of Staff |
WTE |
|
Craft Foreperson (Horticultural) |
1 |
1 |
|
Gardener |
3 |
2.6 |
|
General Operative Band 1 (Rural) |
1 |
1 |
|
General Operative Band 2 (Rural) |
3 |
3 |
|
General Operative Band 3 (Rural) |
4 |
3.5 |
|
Guide |
3 |
3 |
|
Guide (Head) |
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
16 |
15.1 |
254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of protected disclosures that have gone missing or have been compromised that have been submitted to his Department or State bodies that are responsible to his Department. [32293/26]
View answerAny protected disclosures made to my Department are treated in line with the provisions of the Protected Disclosure (Amendment) Act, 2022 and have regard to relevant Departmental policies and procedures.
I wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no instances of the nature specified in the Question in my Department or the bodies under its aegis.
255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of staff that are currently inactively employed by his Department or any organisation with responsibility to his Department. [32313/26]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that my Department contacted his office to seek a definition of the term “staff that are currently inactively employed” in the context of this Question. As it has not been possible to obtain such a clarification, for the purposes of this reply the term has been taken to mean staff who are currently on a career break. This information in respect of my Department and the bodies under its aegis, as of 5 May 2026, is set out in the table below.
|
Public Body |
Number of staff currently on career break |
|
Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation |
24 |
|
Office of Public Works (State Industrial Staff) |
20 |
|
Office of Public Works (Established Staff) |
9 |
|
State Laboratory |
3 |
|
publicjobs |
6 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
5 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
8 |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery |
0 |
256. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount yielded from carbon tax for each of the years from 2023 to 2025; the breakdown of the expenditure and the purposes it was allocated to in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32331/26]
View answerCarbon tax receipts are used to fund a balanced package of measures, including targeted social protection, agri-environment schemes and large scale home retrofitting. These interventions are designed to prevent fuel poverty, support a just transition, and ensure that households and communities, particularly those on lower incomes, are supported as decarbonisation takes place.
I am advised by the Department of Finance, based on information provided by the Revenue Commissioners, that the receipts collected in respect of Fuel Taxes for the years 2023 and 2024 are published on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx
The provisional receipts for carbon tax in 2025 are €1.176 billion.
A breakdown on the annual allocations to key areas for the years requested is set out below:
|
Programme |
Department |
2023 €m |
2024 €m |
2025 €m |
2026 €m |
|
Retrofitting & Community Energy Efficiency |
DCEE |
291 |
380 |
469 |
558 |
|
ODA - Green Climate Fund |
DCEE |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Just Transition Fund |
DCEE |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and green agriculture pilots |
DAFM |
81 |
113 |
143 |
173 |
|
Sustainable Transport Measures |
D/Transport |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Peatlands Rehabilitation |
DHLGH |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Once-off Pilot Housing Regeneration Programme |
DHLGH |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Targeted Social Protection Interventions |
DSP |
218 |
262 |
306 |
350 |
|
Total |
|
623 |
788 |
951 |
1,114 |
My Department issues an annual publication on Budget Day titled The Use of Carbon Tax Funds, which contains further detail on carbon tax allocations, and includes information on the programmes funded from these amounts. All previous versions are available on the Department’s website.
257. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the extent to which continued Exchequer support for fossil fuel related measures is consistent with Ireland’s climate targets and its commitments under the Climate Action Plan; the assessment carried out by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32464/26]
View answerAs part of Budget 2019, Ireland committed to the implementation of a series of progressive green budgeting reforms, intended to better embed climate and environmental goals within the budgetary process, with a view to improving outcomes.
As part of this commitment, my Department and the Department of Finance have been progressively implementing a series of reforms to better understand the climate and environmental impacts of public expenditure and the taxation system, to ensure budgetary processes are conductive to effective decision making.
This work has included green budget tagging, climate and environmental assessment of capital spending and improved capital appraisal tools, and targeted Spending Reviews on specific policies, as well as an ongoing programme of work of macroeconomic modelling to better understand the costs and impacts of climate change and climate action.
Ireland has performed well in this area having ranked second highest in the recent OECD green survey of green budgeting practices, and engages transnationally with the EU, OECD and national administrations to develop and implement best practice.
The Minister for Finance has responsibility for taxation policy, including excise on fossil fuels, and would be better placed to advise on such matters, and on his Department’s environmental analysis of the taxation system.
Since 2019, my Department has tracked climate-related expenditure, in line with Climate Action Plan commitments by developing and applying definitions to identify and track government spending that may be having a negative impact on climate and environmental outcomes.
The main output of this work is captured in the annual publication of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) in December of each year, which includes the results of green budgeting analysis, with an accompanying paper published at this time which outlines the analysis and results.
This monitoring now captures both potentially favourable and unfavourable expenditure and direct and indirect effects that individual expenditure lines may have on climate and environmental outcomes, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of how public resourcing is aligned with national climate objectives.
This analytical work also allows for consideration of how potentially climate unfavourable impacts can be mitigated, and, where that is not possible, highlights the scope for Government to potentially consider the possible adoption of other measures to offset the potentially unfavourable consequences of necessary expenditures.
Green budgeting plays an important role in effective expenditure reporting and prioritisation, increases transparency of Government climate action, and has the potential to support policy making which will result in better budgeting and improved environmental outcomes. This is an iterative process subject to ongoing review.
Further information on the green budgeting process can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/a92af-green-budgeting/.
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment has responsibility for climate policy, and any further queries relating generally to climate policy should be directed towards him for appropriate response.
258. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total number of non-statutory bodies in receipt of public funding in each year since 2020; the estimated aggregate annual funding provided to such bodies; and the proportion of that funding subject to formal governance codes equivalent to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. [32567/26]
View answer259. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any central register is maintained identifying the governance framework applicable to each publicly funded non-statutory body; if so, to provide details; and if not, whether the absence of such a register has been identified as a governance risk. [32568/26]
View answer260. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department has conducted any risk assessment regarding the reliance on differing governance codes across publicly funded bodies; and if so, to provide the findings and date of such assessment. [32569/26]
View answer261. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the mechanisms, if any, in place to ensure value-for-money, audit compliance, and board accountability in non-statutory bodies that are not subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. [32570/26]
View answer262. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether consideration has been given to extending the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, or an equivalent mandatory standard, to all bodies in receipt of majority State funding; and if so, to outline the status of such consideration. [32571/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 259, 260, 261 and 262 together.
My Department has developed and continues to enhance the administrative accountability and governance arrangements of the State. High standards of administrative accountability are fundamental to good governance and vital to ensuring trust in public administration with a range of legislation and instruments to ensure a high degree of administrative accountability across the public sector in areas such as corporate governance, risk management, internal audit, standards in public office, freedom of information and financial reporting.
As the Deputy is aware, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies applies only to commercial and non-commercial organisations under the aegis of Government Departments. However, there are other types of State or public bodies that are covered by different corporate governance codes that have been developed by other Departments to meet the different characteristics of each sector thereby ensuring better and more suitable governance arrangements for each organisational type.
For instance, the 18 Central Government Departments and the 27 other Vote funded Offices of Government are required to follow the Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service introduced by my Department as a key part of its public service reform mandate. Likewise, the 31 Local Authorities follow the Local Government Code of Governance published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Universities follow the Code of Governance for Irish Universities.
The Central Statistics Office in its Register of Public Bodies includes many non-statutory public bodies that are deemed to be under public control for statistical accounting purposes. However, many of these bodies are not owned by the State even if they are providing public services on behalf of Government Departments. These public bodies, as defined by the CSO include voluntary sector agencies that are often formed as companies limited by guarantee. Such incorporated public bodies formed in this manner can be legally independent of Government, but for the most part depend on the State for most of their funding needs. Many of these companies classified as public bodies by the CSO have been registered as charities by the Charities Regulator and, consequently, are required in their annual report to indicate compliance with the Charities Governance Code. Many of these organisations are funded by organisations such as the Health Service Executive, Tulsa and the Arts Council who disclose grantees and the values of grants in either the annual financial reports or an online database.
In relation to a central register, non-statutory organisations that meet the definition of a charity are already required to register with the Charities Regulator and those that do are given a unique registration number.
Finally, as the Deputy is aware, all Secretaries General are Accounting Officers. In their Accounting Officer role, Secretaries General are personally responsible for the stewardship of public funds appropriated to their Vote which includes responsibility for grants to non-government organisations under Public Financial Procedures and Circular 13/2014 “Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds”. Circular 13/2014 requires grantees to name all public sector grantors, the amounts of and purposes for each grant.
It is, of course, a matter for each Department and Office of Government concerned to ensure that there are appropriate oversight arrangements and structures in place to ensure that public funds granted to non-government bodies are used for the purposes agreed in each grant’s Service Level Agreement as required by Circular 13/2014. It is the responsibility of each Accounting Officer to ensure that sufficient financial reporting mechanisms, internal controls and audit systems are in place to ensure grants to non-statutory bodies are properly accounted for and provide value for money.
263. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to clarify the procedure when the Commission for Public Service Appointments finds that the Public Appointments Service has made a flawed decision (details supplied). [32587/26]
View answerThe Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body, established under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, responsible for overseeing appointments to a wide range of positions in the civil and public service.
As part of its role in ensuring that appointments to publicly-funded positions are fair, transparent and merit-based, it examines complaints in relation to selection processes.
My Department is not involved in the examination of complaints made to the CPSA. However, I am advised that each case is different, and in general where it is found that a selection process has not been carried out in line with the Code of Practice for Appointments to Positions in the Civil and Public Service, the CPSA then makes recommendations to the relevant public body to change future selection processes. It cannot, however, reverse a recruitment decision made by a recruiting body within its remit.
264. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans for the Office of Public Works to acquire the Martello Tower at Sandymount, Dublin; and if he will report on assessments commissioned by or for his Department, in concert with the OPW, in respect of same. [32788/26]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has responsibility for the care, management and presentation of a large portfolio of heritage sites across the State. These include many of Ireland’s most significant National Monuments, currently numbering approximately 780 sites nationwide, which are under the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is important to note that the OPW does not have a general role in acquiring heritage properties, rather, it is responsible for the conservation, maintenance and presentation of the national heritage estate in its care.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is a relevant decision-maker when the State is considering a property or monument for acquisition by the State.
Acquisitions are considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to a range of factors including its heritage significance, strategic fit within the existing portfolio, public access potential, and the availability of resources to conserve and manage the site into the future.
In addition, local authorities are often best placed to bring forward proposals for the reuse and regeneration of heritage buildings where there is a clear community or civic function identified. In that regard, any future proposal for the Martello Tower at Sandymount Strand may be more appropriately considered at local authority level, in this instance Dublin City Council, potentially in partnership with other stakeholders.
While the OPW fully acknowledges the heritage significance of the Martello Tower at Sandymount Strand, I can confirm that the OPW has no plans to acquire the building and has not undertaken or commissioned any assessments of the property.
265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total amount of public funds currently outstanding from current and former Ministers and officeholders following pension calculation errors identified in 2025; and the specific measures being taken by the National Shared Services Office to recoup these funds. [32955/26]
View answer266. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide a breakdown of the number of current and former officeholders who have yet to enter a formal repayment plan for overpaid pension funds; the deadline set for the completion of these repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
The NSSO is fully committed to ensuring that all monies owed to the State are fully recouped. Engagement is ongoing with those impacted by this review not yet in a payment plan. As standard in cases of pension under-deductions, the NSSO and/or the employer works with the individual to resolve the under-deduction on a case-by-case basis. Impacted individuals can pay back in-full, or they can enter a payment plan agreed with the NSSO.
To date the NSSO has reached agreement with:
• All current Ministers and Ministers of State.
• The majority of the cohort of former Ministers and Ministers of State, office holders and other officers impacted by this review.
The NSSO are working to close out this matter as a priority and will continue to follow-up with impacted individuals to finalise payment plans.
267. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the confirmed details for the expanded minor works scheme for the OPW; when he expects the final terms and conditions of the scheme to be published and circulated among Local Authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33178/26]
View answerLocalised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. Local Authorities may apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
This scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the Scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works, or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Since its introduction in 2009, some €70 million has been approved under the Scheme for 930 Local Authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.
I have announced that an increase in funding supports are to be made available to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, including an increase in the upper threshold of funding from €750,000 to €2,000,000. The OPW is currently finalising details of the revisions to the Scheme, and expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme shortly.
268. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide, full name, job title, and employing organisation of each member of the Major Projects Approval Group (MPAG) that reviewed the business case for the HSE's national electronic health record programme in or around September 2025, in tabular form; whether any member of the MPAG is also a member of, or adviser to, the HSE's EHR tender evaluation panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33254/26]
View answerAs required under the Infrastructure Guidelines, the preliminary business case for the HSE's National Electronic Health Record programme was reviewed within my Department by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) prior to the Department of Health seeking consent from Government to grant approval to the proposal at Approval Gate 1.
The review took place from July to September 2025 and the following members of MPAG participated in the review.
• Michael Nolan - Chair of MPAG and former Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland
• Jerry Grant - Former Managing Director and current Chairperson of Uisce Éireann
• Barry O'Driscoll - Chartered Civil Engineer with over 25 year's experience, founder of Odvantage Ltd global consultancy
• Kevin Meaney - Head of Infrastructure Delivery and Monitoring Unit, DPER
In order to bring in specialist expertise on ICT and Digital Transformation, MPAG was also supplemented for this review by:
• Dermot Ryan, Director of Digital Transformation in NHS England.
Officials in DPER and the OGCIO provided secretariat and advisory assistant to MPAG during the review.
The Department of Health have confirmed that no members of the MPAG review process are members of, or advisers to, the HSE's EHR tender evaluation panel.
269. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) conducted a review or peer review of the HSE's One Health Record programme under Circular 14/21 or any successor instrument prior to Government approval of the procurement in February 2026; and if so, the person or body that conducted the review and its findings; whether an acting or interim Government Chief Information Officer has been appointed following the departure of the previous officeholder in April 2026; if no such appointment has been made, the person or body currently exercising the OGCIO's oversight functions under Circular 14/21 in respect of the EHR procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33255/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, as I detailed in my response to Deputy Fleming’s written questions (Nos.458 and 459) on 28th April 2026, that in the context of Circular 14/2021, and given the scale of the programme, my Department has established a Digital Governance Oversight Peer Review Group for the procurement and investment phase of the HSE’s One Health Record programme. The purpose of this group is to provide an independent, structured review of the programme at key decision points throughout its lifecycle.
The Digital Governance Oversight Unit in my Department, headed by the Deputy Government CIO, continues to lead the implementation of Circular 14/2021 including supporting the work of the One Health Record Peer Review Group. The group, established earlier this year, comprises a number of individual subject matter experts and is in the early stages of its engagement with the One Health Record Team and Department of Health. The group will provide advice and support to both the Digital Governance Oversight Unit (and ultimately myself) and to the Minister for Health and the HSE Project Team, acting as a critical friend to the project throughout its lifecycle.
The National Electronic Health Record programme is a matter for the Minister for Health supported by her Department in the first instance. My officials and I will continue to support the Minister for Health and her Department through the functions of my Department as this key programme is developed as part of the wider health digitalisation strategy.
