Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
210. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the names of the persons who currently serve on the HSE directorate; the duration of their term of office and when this is due to expire; if a new directorate is to be appointed in the near future; and, if so, the persons who will serve on it. [27890/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has extended or approved the extension of the contracts of any national directors in the HSE since he took office and, if so, the details. [27891/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
The Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013 came into effect on 25 July, 2013. Section 16A(2) of the Health Act 2004 (as amended) specifies that the number of persons appointed by the Minister for Health to the Directorate as "appointed Directors" at any time shall not be fewer than 2 and not be greater than 8. Mr Tony O’Brien, as Director General is an ex officio member of the Directorate and is Chairperson of the Directorate. Mr O'Brien was appointed Director General for a five year term in accordance with Section 16E of the Health Act 2004, as amended when the Act was commenced on 25 July, 2013.
The following persons currently serve on the HSE Directorate: Mr Tony O’Brien, Director General of the HSE; Mr Stephen Mulvany, Chief Financial Officer & Interim Deputy Director General; Mr Pat Healy, National Director of Social Care; Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, National Director of Health & Well-being; Mr John Hennessy, National Director of Primary Care; Ms Anne O'Connor, National Director of Mental Health; Mr Liam Woods, Interim National Director of Acute Hospitals; and Dr Philip Crowley, National Director Quality Improvement.
Ms Anne O’Connor was appointed as Acting National Director for Mental Health in accordance with Section 16A of the Health Act 2004, as amended in a letter of 11 July, 2014 for as long as her appointment subsisted.
Mr Liam Woods, Interim National Director of Acute Hospitals, was appointed as a member of the Directorate, until the appointment of a permanent National Director for Acute Hospitals also with effect from 1 February, 2015. On appointment of a permanent National Director for Acute Hospitals he would be expected to vacate the position.
Dr Philip Crowley, National Director Quality Improvement, was appointed as a member of the Directorate in accordance with the HSE (Governance) Act 2013, for a period of three years with effect from 1 February, 2015.
In accordance with Section 16 of the Health Act 2004, as amended, the following were appointed members of the HSE Directorate for a period of three years and were still members at the expiry of their three year term on 25 July, 2016: Mr Pat Healy, National Director of Social Care; Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, National Director of Health & Well-being; Mr John Hennessy, National Director of Primary Care; and Mr Stephen Mulvany, Chief Financial Officer & Interim Deputy Director General.
It was at the discretion of the Minister to re-appoint them as Directors under section 16B(2) of the Health Act 2004 (as inserted by section 7 of the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013) and all four Directors were re-appointed as members of the HSE Directorate until 31 December, 2016.
My officials are currently engaging with the Director General in relation to the composition and roles of the HSE senior management team including the implications any reorganisation has for the future membership of the Directorate in the context of the overall Health Reform Programme and mindful of the work of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare.
