Of the 19 state bodies under the aegis of my Department, two are registered as a charity. The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). These bodies have charitable purposes in accordance with section 3 (1) of the Charities Act 2009.
A number of hospitals and other voluntary/not-for-profit organisations who provide services for or on behalf of the HSE are also registered charities.
Bodies under the aegis of my Department are accountable in the first instance to their boards, and are required to comply with all applicable legislation. In the case of organisations who are registered as charities this includes the Charities Act 2009, which provides for regulation by the Charities Regulator.
The HSE and IBTS, as with other bodies under the Aegis of my Department have governing legislation which provides for, inter alia, the appointment by the Minister of the Board and the Chairperson. The Chairperson and Board are ultimately responsible to me as Minister for the operation and proper functioning of the State body. As set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, these bodies have Oversight Agreements in place which clearly define the terms of the relationship between these bodies and me/my Department.