Health Service Executive

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Ceisteanna (269)

Pádraig Rice

Ceist:

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]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I 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.