Skip to main content
Normal View

Departmental Inquiries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022

Thursday, 7 April 2022

Questions (408)

Carol Nolan

Question:

408. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the engagements that he, his Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer had with Trinity College Dublin prior to and regarding the appointment of a person (details supplied) at their new post at the college; the costs that have been and will be incurred on an ongoing basis such as, the cost of their salary being covered by his Department following their appointment to the new role at the college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19055/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Health is committed to the development of public health capacity for the future. While Ireland has fared well in many aspects of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is room for development of our capacity in this regard. The third level sector will play a key role in providing thought leadership, critical analysis, research as well as the development of knowledge and skills to better support public health leadership, policy making and public health practice.Dr Tony Holohan is taking up the Professorship of Public Health Strategy & Leadership in Trinity College Dublin to further this potential. Specifically, the Department intends for Dr Holohan to lead the development and activities of inter-institutional collaboration between universities and the health sector and to develop stronger links with the WHO and agencies of the EU.This secondment to Trinity College Dublin means that Dr Holohan has agreed to relinquish his role as Chief Medical Officer; it is not Dr Holohan’s intention to return to this role at any point in the future.The Department, at a senior level made this decision in order to show innovation and lead by example. All arrangements in relation to staffing are the responsibility of the Secretary General. In making the arrangements for this, the Department was mindful of the general principles of the Civil Service secondment policy which applies to secondments within the Civil Service. That policy provides for specialist sectoral secondment arrangements to be made.

Dr Holohan will take up the role on 1 July 2022. Arrangements are being made between the Department and Trinity College regarding the funding of the post. It is important to note that there is no increase in remuneration or financial benefit accruing to Dr Holohan on foot of this arrangement.The role of CMO will be filled in the usual way for posts at this level subject to the appropriate sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

It is anticipated there will then be an open competition for a new appointment to the role of CMO under the auspices of the Public Appointments Service and the Top-Level Appointments Committee (TLAC).

Top
Share