Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the investigations that are taking place into the death of a person (details supplied); the timeline for the publication of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7006/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The investigations currently underway in relation to the case referenced by the Deputy are those of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Coroner's Office.

The HSE's investigation team continues to work to complete its investigation in the shortest timeframe possible to achieve the objectives of the investigation. It is the intention of the HSE to publish the final report of the investigation.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is currently conducting an investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE to patients, including pregnant women, at risk of clinical deterioration, including those provided in University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) and as reflected in, among other things, the care and treatment provided to Savita Halappanavar. As with all previous investigations conducted by the Authority, as the independent regulator of health and social care services, the Authority will carry out the investigation in line with published terms of reference.

The Authority will prepare a report of the findings of the investigation and make local and national recommendations as to the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the HSE, to the extent that the Authority considers appropriate. The report will then be submitted to the Board of the Authority for approval before publishing it a time the Authority deems appropriate.

The Coroner's Office held a preliminary inquest hearing on 18th January last and is scheduled to commence its full inquest during April. The inquest is held under the Coroner's Acts and my Department has no involvement in this independent process thus I am not in a position to advise or comment on the structure or duration of that process.