Ms Eilísh Hardiman:

I will take that. I thank the Deputy. This is the first time representatives of CHI have been before the committee.

Children's Health Ireland is a State body established under the Children's Health Act 2018 and a section 38 organisation under the health Act, which means it is commissioned to provide services under the HSE via an annual service arrangement. Children's Health Ireland commenced operation in January 2019. Our main role is to provide services to approximately 336,000 children who turn up to our paediatric services at Crumlin Hospital, Temple Street hospital, Tallaght Hospital and the new facility at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown which opened in July. These four services operate as one organisation, led by one board and one management team. We provide services through 4,000 staff, working through 39 different clinical specialties, to the sickest children of 25% of the population and all of the children in the greater Dublin area.