Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One of the central principles and opportunities relating to the transfer of functions was to ensure a legally and operationally robust governance framework that provides for the appropriate budgetary and performance management of the specialist disability services delivered by or on behalf of the HSE.

The legislative framework in place since the commencement of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 is underpinned by a suite of co-operation and reporting arrangements to provide for close collaboration between my Department, the HSE and the Department of Health. Responsibility for the delivery of these specialist services remains with the HSE following the transfer. Importantly, the HSE has its own governance arrangements with individual service providers and continues to implement and monitor these.

On quality standards, HIQA is an independent authority that was established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and monitor safety and quality in Ireland's health and personal social care services. The Health Act 2007 requires all providers – public, private and voluntary organisations – to identify residential services that meet the criteria for a designated centre and to apply to the chief inspector within HIQA to have those centres registered.

Separately, the Minister for Health is developing a regulatory framework for home support providers, with the aim of ensuring that all service users over 18 years are provided with high-quality care. It will comprise primary legislation for the licensing of providers, secondary legislation in the form of regulations – minimum requirements – and HIQA national standards.

On disability day services, the HSE has implemented a continuous quality-improvement approach within adult day services since 2019 by means of voluntary interim standards for new directions. The interim standards are based on a framework devised by HIQA, closely aligned with the new directions policy.

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