Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Board Disciplinary Procedures.

Ivor Callely

Question:

78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures available for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken when a health board general hospital makes an error in management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13710/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The determination and application of disciplinary procedures in individual health boards is a matter for the health board management, having regard to relevant employment legislation and other statutory and common law protections available to employees.

The Health Act, 1970 contains particular provisions governing the suspension and removal of chief executive officers and other officers of health boards. These are set out in sections 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the Act. This provides, inter alia, that a chief executive officer may be suspended from the performance of his duties by the Minister or by the passing of a resolution by no less than two thirds of the members of the health board. Other officers of the board may, on foot of considered misconduct or unfitness for office, be suspended by the chief executive officer after consultation with the chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman of the board while the alleged misconduct of unfitness is being inquired into and any disciplinary action to be taken is being determined. Health board officers and servants may be removed from office by the chief executive officer or, in the case of permanent officers, on a direction by the Minister or on the recommendation of a committee established by the Minister for this purpose, depending on the circumstances.