Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
262. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under her Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68369/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware many of our agencies operate to high standards of professionalism and efficiency. Nevertheless, it is prudent that periodic checks are conducted to ensure that agencies remain fit for purpose. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Periodic Critical Reviews (PCRs) are conducted every five years on aegis bodies. My Department has nineteen (19) bodies that will be subject to a PCR with the review for one body completed and nine further bodies covering professional registration and regulatory functions are to be advanced for reviews over 2026 and 2027.
The focus of these reviews will be to assess:
• The performance of the agency against its original mandate and legal basis (including subsequent extensions as appropriate) and the relevance of that mandate today.
• The remit of the agency in the context of other agencies in the sector.
• The organisational performance of the agency in the last 3 years as evidenced by results, outputs, benchmarks, etc.
• The opportunities, if any, for streamlining of agencies or functions.
• The opportunities for cost savings through co-location and/or potential shared services initiatives.
• The external operating environment that the agency operates in.
• The organisational capacity of the agency to deliver on its full mandate.
As results of reviews become available the opportunities for further efficiencies and cost savings will be examined.
Line Units with aegis body responsibilities present to the Departmental Corporate Governance Committee on a two year cycle. This ensures that aegis bodies are reviewed regularly and that my Department holds all aegis bodies accountable to high standards.
