Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to speak on amendments Nos. 1, 6 and 14 to 16, inclusive, as they are concerned with increasing the size of the new HSE board and with related consequential amendments. The Committee on the Future of Healthcare concluded that an independent board for the HSE needs to be put in place in order to strengthen and improve governance, leadership and accountability within the organisation. This Bill translates that policy directly into legislation.

As the House will be aware, a chairperson-designate, Mr. Ciarán Devane, of the board has been selected and the Public Appointments Service is currently undertaking a process to identify other potential board members. The board will help to drive accountability and transformation. I cannot underline more strongly how important it is to get the right calibre of people with the appropriate mix of experience to serve as members of the board. Given the nature of the role, the associated time commitment envisaged and the range and breadth of competencies required, the Minister for Health has carefully considered the overall size of the HSE board. He has taken into account the fact that the HSE is our biggest State agency, with a budget of €17 billion in 2019, and a significant workforce. An agency of this size generates a huge volume of work - often complex - for its governing body. As a result, it is important to ensure that the board is of an appropriate size, with overlapping skills and competencies, and that collective decision-making is supported and strengthened.

The Bill, as published, provides for a nine-person board. With these amendments, the Minister proposes to increase the overall size of the HSE board from nine members to ten. Amendment No 1. increases the number of ordinary members from seven to eight. The other two board members are the chairperson and the deputy chairperson. The other amendments are consequential and relate to the quorum for meetings moving from four members to five and to the minimum number of board members required to call a meeting moving from five members to six.

I hope Senators will support these amendments and acknowledge that it is not just about the important work that this new ten-member HSE board must undertake, it is also about reiterating our commitment as public representatives to supporting the new board in its work.