Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012
616 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number and names of the State bodies under the aegis of his Department which are subject to the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9262/12]
View answerThe agencies under the aegis of my Department that are subject to the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies are as follows:- An Bord Altranais, Dental Council, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, CORU, Health Information Quality Authority, Health Insurance Authority, Health Research Board, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Irish Medicines Board, Medical Council, Mental Health Commission, National Cancer Registry Board, National Treatment Purchase Fund, Opticians Board, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council.
617 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has received the annual report on corporate governance from all State bodies under the aegis of his Department which are subject to the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies for 2010 as required under section 13.1 of the code, if not, if he will outline which State bodies have not done so and if having reviewed the reports he is satisfied that all State bodies are complying with the provisions of the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/12]
View answerThe functions of State agencies under the remit of my Department are primarily set out in statute. Part of the statutory requirement is that annual business/service plans are submitted to the Department for approval. These service plans are monitored on an ongoing basis. For those agencies funded by my Department, annual income and expenditure profiles are approved, monitored and controlled by my Department.
All agencies are fully aware of their obligations and responsibilities under the revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and report annually on areas such as Board and directors responsibilities, compliance with codes of conduct, compliance with remuneration guidelines and procurement guidelines among others, in line with the revised Code of Practice. In relation to 2010, governance reports have been received from all agencies with the exception of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), which through an oversight neglected to forward the 2010 report to the Department. This oversight is currently being rectified. The Department has received the 2011 governance report from the NTPF.
In addition, officials from my Department hold regular meetings with agencies on corporate governance and other matters to ensure that there are robust governance arrangements in place, and that the agencies are in compliance with "2009 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies”. I am satisfied that my Department maintains appropriate oversight over the agencies under its remit and that we are continuing to ensure that there is greater convergence between agency activity and health policy.
