Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
443. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of all reviews, audits, and reports commissioned or conducted in relation to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) over the past 10 years; and to furnish copies of each named review to the Oireachtas. [50331/26]
View answer444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether all reports and internal reviews relating to patient safety, waiting lists, and governance at CHI have been shared with affected families; and if not, to provide a timeline for their full publication and to furnish copies of each such review. [50332/26]
View answer447. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health to detail all governance reviews concerning CHI, the HSE, and her Department in relation to oversight failures; and to furnish copies of each such report. [50335/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 444 and 447 together.
I acknowledge the challenges families have faced regarding paediatric services. There have been a number of reviews recently focused on the paediatric services in Children’s Health Ireland.
The following reports and reviews have been published and are available online: Irish Paediatric Critical Care Audit (2023); Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street Spinal Surgery Programme for Patients with Spina Bifida (2023); Review on the implementation of Scoliosis and Spina Bifida Action Plans 2022 - 2023 (2024); HIQA Review on governance of implantable medical devices at CHI, including use of non-CE marked springs in surgery at CHI at Temple Street (2025); Independent Audit on Hip Surgery Thresholds for Children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (2025); and the Audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI (2026).
Summary of findings, recommendations and updates regarding the examination of a particular clinical department in Children’s Health Ireland (2022) is also available online.
The Dickson Report (2017) is not published. Children’s Health Ireland has advised that the families involved were informed at the time of the report, and Children’s Health Ireland has since further communicated with the families in relation to this report.
The Nayagam review is ongoing. Phase 2 of the Nayagam review continues and, as per the terms of reference, the final report will be submitted to the review’s Commissioner (the HSE CCO) at the conclusion of the Independent Review and published thereafter.
The HSE CEO has established the National Oversight Improvement Steering Group for CHI to co-ordinate oversight of the range of matters of focus in CHI, including the implementation of recommendations from completed reviews and upcoming reports. This group meets on a monthly basis and more often as required.
As Minister for Health I remain committed to the improvement of services for children and young people.
