Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

273. To ask the Minister for Health if any State or semi-State bodies that report to him are currently or have been registered as a charity; the reason for the charity status; the person or body that holds primacy for accountability in those instances, whether the Minister or the Charities Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Of the 19 state bodies under the aegis of my Department, two are registered as a charity. The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). These bodies have charitable purposes in accordance with section 3 (1) of the Charities Act 2009.

A number of hospitals and other voluntary/not-for-profit organisations who provide services for or on behalf of the HSE are also registered charities. 

Bodies under the aegis of my Department are accountable in the first instance to their boards, and are required to comply with all applicable legislation. In the case of organisations who are registered as charities this includes the Charities Act 2009, which provides for regulation by the Charities Regulator.  

The HSE and IBTS, as with other bodies under the Aegis of my Department have governing legislation which provides for, inter alia, the appointment by the Minister  of  the  Board  and  the  Chairperson.  The  Chairperson  and  Board  are  ultimately  responsible  to  me as Minister for the operation and proper functioning of the State body. As set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, these bodies have Oversight Agreements in place which clearly define the terms of the relationship between these bodies and me/my Department.