Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
91. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to the Crowe Horwath report into the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI; if he has had any meetings with the NMBI on the reports, its findings and its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20922/16]
View answer93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health given that the Crowe Horwath report, into the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI, is reported to note that, over the last few years, the nursing board did not have a productive working relationship with his Department, his plans to remedy this; if he has met the NMBI since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) was established under the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011 and has two main objectives; (i) to protect the public and (ii) to ensure the integrity of nursing and midwifery practices.
Following a protected disclosure the Department of Health requested the NMBI to commission a third party review of internal management and governance processes. As a result of this review two further reports have been published which identify historical shortcomings in the operation of the Board.
Throughout the long investigation of the protected disclosure and the preparation, adoption and publication of these reports there has been extensive and ongoing interaction between the executive/Board of the NMBI and officials of the Department of Health. While these issues are both complex and sensitive, they require that the Department apply appropriate oversight and governance to ensure a satisfactory resolution. To this end, the Department continues to work closely with the NMBI to ensure that enhanced governance procedures are implemented and that robust management and operational processes are introduced. A new President and a new interim CEO have been appointed and the post of Director of Finance and Corporate Services has been advertised. Formal monthly operational and quarterly governance meetings take place between the Department and the NMBI. In addition, discussions on operational and change management issues take place on an ongoing basis. While I have not yet met with the NMBI, I am fully briefed by my officials on all relevant issues. The NMBI is already implementing the Reports' recommendations and is committed to ensuring that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these events do no reoccur.
