Written Answers Nos. 1102-1118
1102. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what decision-making process led to the closure of the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit in February 2025 following a fire risk assessment completed in October 2024; the dates on which the findings were reviewed; the level within the HSE or Department at which the decision to close was approved; and whether alternative mitigation measures short of closure were formally considered. [32720/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1103. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the findings of the October 2024 fire risk assessment relating to the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit were formally notified to the relevant fire authority or to HIQA; if so, the dates of such notifications; and whether any compliance directions or recommendations were issued by those bodies. [32721/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1104. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether residents continued to occupy the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit in the period between the completion of the fire risk assessment in October 2024 and its closure in February 2025; and if so, the fire safety or risk mitigation measures that were put in place during that period. [32722/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1106. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the fire safety risks identified in the October 2024 assessment of the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit were recorded on any HSE corporate, regional, or site-specific risk register; and if so, the risk rating assigned and the dates on which the risk status was reviewed or escalated. [32730/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1110. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any residents displaced from the Daisy Unit, Heather House Community Nursing Unit following its closure in February 2025 were relocated to alternative facilities; the number of residents affected; and whether any impact assessment was carried out in relation to continuity of care and patient welfare arising from the closure. [32734/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the legal and governance basis upon which Children's Health Ireland holds final decision-making authority regarding the timing of patient transfer to the National Children's Hospital; and whether this authority is set out in statute, contract, or administrative arrangement. [32736/26]
View answer1112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE or the Department of Health retains any power to override or delay a Go/No-Go decision made by the Children's Health Ireland Board; and if so, the circumstances under which such intervention may occur. [32737/26]
View answer1114. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any independent external validation or audit is required before a Go/No-Go decision on the transfer to the National Children's Hospital is confirmed; and if so, to provide details. [32739/26]
View answer1115. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what contingency planning is in place in the event that a Go/No-Go decision is reversed within the 15-day decision window; and the estimated operational and financial impact of such a reversal. [32740/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1111, 1112, 1114 and 1115 together.
The Children’s Health Act (2018), which established Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), is the legislative and legal basis upon which CHI plan, conduct, maintain, manage, provide and develop paediatric services. In addition, CHI enters into an annual Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the HSE with respect to the delivery of services as per Section 38 of the Health Act (2004).
The National Children's Hospital Ireland (NCHI) Project and Programme has specific governance structures as set out below:
• Under the revised governance structures approved by Government in November 2021, the National Oversight Group oversees and monitors the progress of the National Children’s Hospital Ireland Project and Programme. The Group is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health, and membership includes the HSE CEO.
• The National Director for Planning and Performance in the HSE is the Lead Director for the National Children's Hospital Project and Programme. The Lead Director reports to the National Oversight Group on oversight and coordination of the overall programme and provides assurance that the programme is progressing on time and on budget. The Lead Director chairs a monthly Lead Director meeting with members including senior representatives from the HSE, CHI, and the National Paediatric Development Board (NPHDB).
The decision in relation to the timing of the transfer of services to the NCHI will be informed by a process that will assess the organisational readiness and make a Go/No-Go recommendation, based on all relevant clinical and operational factors.
The Go/No-Go decision-making will be undertaken in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the HSE and my Department, through the established programme governance structures, including the HSE Lead Director process and NCHI National Oversight Group.
1113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific clinical, operational, and patient safety criteria used by Children's Health Ireland to determine "organisational readiness" for transfer to the National Children's Hospital; and whether these criteria will be published. [32738/26]
View answerAs this is a operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1116. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the exact whole-time equivalent staffing complement currently assigned to the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit, broken down by grade, including nursing, healthcare assistants, and all support staff. [32743/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1117. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a final, formally approved workforce model has been signed off for Heather House Community Nursing Unit; if so, the date of approval; and if not, the reason a unit is reopening in advance of such approval. [32744/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1118. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to confirm whether the current staffing levels at the dementia-specific unit at Heather House Community Nursing Unit are fully compliant with HIQA standards for residential care settings; and whether any risks or variances have been identified. [32745/26]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
