Health Committee to hear from HIQA and Dept of Health on Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Chair, Dr. Michael Harty TD said: “Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is a powerful part of the legislative process, as it allows committees to scrutinise draft legislation and report back to government before a final version of the bill has been drafted. On Wednesday, the Committee will examine the general scheme of the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill. The aim of this licensing legislation is to ensure that hospital providers in Ireland are operating to minimum core standards. The draft general scheme sets out a licensing framework for hospitals and other services not already included in other licensing type legislation. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will be the licensing authority. The department and the HIQA will brief the Committee on the key elements of the bill and Committee Members will have an opportunity to raise any issues in relation to the proposed legislation.”

The meeting will take place at 9am in Committee Room 3, Leinster House.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.