Seán Sherlock
Ceist:972. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he has responsibility for the Health Research Board. [14743/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 July 2020
Ceisteanna (972, 973)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:973. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the Minister with responsibility for the Health Research Board. [14744/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 973 together.
I can confirm that, as Minister for Health, I have oversight and responsibility for the Health Research Board. The HRB was established under the Health Research Board (Establishment) Order 1986 and the functions of the Board are as follows:
(a) To promote, assist, commission or conduct health research to improve health and increase the effectiveness of the health services;
(b) To maintain, develop, or support health information systems for the purposes of research and to provide the evidence for health policy and services;
(c) To liaise and co-operate with other research bodies in the State and outside the State in the promotion, commissioning or conduct of relevant research;
(d) To liaise with other health information bodies in the State and, where appropriate, outside the State in the development and support of health information systems;
In addition, the Health Research Board hosts the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee and associated Secretariat, and the recently established Office for National Research Ethic Committees. Furthermore, it acts as the national contact point for health in the EU Commission programmes including Horizon 2020, the EU4Health Programme and the Marie Curie programme. Finally, it supports evidence-informed decision making in my Department through the work of the Evidence Centre.
My officials are currently engaging closely with the HRB as they are in the process of developing their next Strategy from 2021. I look forward to the important role the HRB continues to play in supporting the transformation of our healthcare system through Sláintecare, in fostering a culture of research and innovation in our health services and with academic partners, in building capacity and research networks in critical areas and in supporting the Government’s achievement of wider societal and economic goals.