Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the type of information that employees of the Health Service Executive can and cannot communicate publically within current HSE policy; the whistle blowing legislation that pertains to the HSE; and the way this affects the rights of employees of the HSE. [2164/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The health service is committed to promoting a culture of openness and accountability so that employees can report any concerns they may have in relation to the safety and quality of care provided in their workplace.

Part 14 of the Health Act 2007 provides for the making of protected disclosures by health service employees. A disclosure made by a health service employee in good faith and on reasonable grounds and in accordance with the provisions of section 103 of the Health Act 2007, is a protected disclosure. Similarly, disclosures made by persons to a professional regulatory body and in certain circumstances to the Health Information and Quality Authority or the Inspector of Mental Health Services are also protected under the Act. The purpose of these provisions is to facilitate employees to disclose matters of concern to them to an authorised person and to provide statutory protection against penalisation in their employment and against civil liability. The Deputy's question, insofar as it relates to public communication by Health Service Executive employees, has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.