HSE Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Ceisteanna (34)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

34. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken in relation to the fact that, rather than referring the suspension of a person (details supplied) for investigation by the regulator of midwifery, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, as per the terms of the contract between the Health Service Executive and self-employed midwives, the area manager of the executive for Dublin Mid-Leinster instead opted to commission and chair a high-cost, resource-intense systems analysis investigation into the person's practice. [14706/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.

The HSE is legally obliged to actively promote the well-being and to protect the welfare of the public. Decisions in this regard are made on a bona fide basis, based on information available to the HSE at a particular point in time. In relation to the matters raised by the Deputy, the proceedings are ongoing and as such it is not appropriate to comment on a matter currently before the courts.

In regard to the ongoing HSE investigations, which are due to conclude within the next few weeks, the outcome will determine the necessity or otherwise for the HSE to refer the matter to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.