Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 1 and 2. The legal name of the new body in the Bill is Children's Health Ireland. The broad name reflects the objectives and functions of the new body which are broader than simply those of a hospital. As the Minister mentioned during the debate on Second Stage, it is considered that it may be useful for the new body to have an operational or brand name. Several names have been suggested for the new body, including that of Kathleen Lynn, a former Member of the House and co-founder of Saint Ultan's Children's Hospital. I agree with the Deputy that Dr. Lynn's work during her lifetime, including on behalf of impoverished women and ill babies in Ireland, was exceptional. The Department is engaging with the children's hospital group on arrangements for the new process to agree a name that will be endorsed by the Government. That process has yet to begin. It is expected to acknowledge the work undertaken in the previous naming process and the valuable input of staff, patients, service users and the Youth Advisory Council. The names suggested include that of Kathleen Lynn which will be considered as part of the process. The new operational name will be endorsed by the Government before it is announced. Accordingly, I do not intend to accept amendment No. 1.

The objects of the new body are set out clearly in the Bill. They include improving, promoting and protecting the health and well-being of children. The objective of the Bill is to create a new body that will be responsible for the governance and management of Ireland's national paediatric centre. It will also be expected to have a leadership role in the implementation of the model of care for children. The new children's hospital will include a 20-bed acute child and adolescent mental health inpatient unit. As Deputies are probably aware, the body needs to be a formally approved service provider under the Mental Health Act to provide such services. The provider of mental health services in the new hospital will be the child and adolescent mental health services of the HSE, rather than the new body. Since the provision of the mental health services located in the new children's hospital will remain with the HSE and the new body will not seek to be formally approved for this purpose under the Mental Health Act, it would not be appropriate or correct to reference mental health as a function of the new body. However, in providing services for which the new body will have responsibility it will be mindful of children's mental health needs. It is worth repeating that among the functions of the new body is the function to provide for patient safety, equality of patients and care in the hospital. Accordingly, I do not intend to accept amendment No. 2.

I wish to address Deputy Ó Snodaigh's final remarks about Kathleen Lynn. I acknowledge that a Kathleen Lynn medal has been awarded to people who undertake exceptional service on behalf of children. It is a major acknowledgement of a lady who, as the Deputy said, was at the forefront in dealing with children, especially in paediatric services.

See this speech in context