Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 December 2022
306. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 8 December 2022, if he has the power to mandate an independent investigation into individualised services under the service agreement between an organisation (details supplied) and the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62867/22]
View answerThe organisation referenced by the Deputy receives funding from the HSE, under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004. The organisation’s service agreement is with the HSE, and it is the HSE which has operational responsibility for oversight of delivery of services in accordance with the service agreement.
The HSE advises that it is engaging with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) with regard to the organisation concerned. The HSE is also engaging with the organisation in terms of its service agreement and a Service Improvement Framework process which is being established, which will be independently chaired.
Residential services (including residential respite services) which fall under the definition of registered centres as set out in the Health Act 2007 are registered with the independent regulator, HIQA, which conducts periodic inspections for compliance with the relevant Regulations. HIQA determines which services come within its ambit in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.
Given the governance and oversight responsibilities of the HSE and HIQA respectively, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to set up any other process in respect of the organisation concerned.
