Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1036. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of all bodies in receipt of public funds that have refused to provide treatments, conduct medical procedures, supply medical or other items or conduct research on the grounds of running contrary to the religious ethos of the patronage or management organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20226/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHealth and personal social care services are provided on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE) by 39 Service Providers which are funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and around 1900 other Service Providers funded under section 39 of the Health Act. Service Providers include registered charities, religious bodies, voluntary agencies and non-statutory agencies. These services would include a number which are provided by religious congregations.
The HSE has a Governance Framework in place which incorporates national standardised documentation, and guidance documents, that enables the HSE to contractually underpin the grant-funding provided to all Non-Statutory Service Providers. This Framework seeks to ensure the standard and consistent application of good governance principles, which are robust and effective, to ensure that both the HSE and the Providers meet their respective obligations. It is reviewed and updated as required. The HSE aims to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to effectively manage the services and funding, and the Governance Framework provides for national standard governance documentation and administrative processes, which seek, in turn, to ensure both the HSE and the recipient organisations comply with their respective obligations, and that the services delivered provide best outcomes for the service user and represent effective use of public Exchequer funding. The specific detail requested by the Deputy is not routinely available.
