Written answers

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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889. To ask the Minister for Health if she was made aware of any reports which cited concerns regarding sub-optimal care for children with spina bifida at CHI Crumlin; if she will name the report; if she will ensure that the children are identified and parents notified of the findings of such a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32580/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I note Children’s Health Ireland's (CHI) publication of a summary of the internal examination (2022) on 16 June. This is available at: www.childrenshealthireland.ie/news/summary-of-findings-recommendations-and-updates-regarding-the-examination-of-a-particular-clinical-department-in-childrens-health-ireland-chi/.

A succession of extant and pending reports have raised corporate and clinical governance concerns at CHI. In response to these, I have moved to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI by appointing two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI.

The service level agreement between CHI and the HSE has been strengthened in relation to operational oversight. There has also been increased involvement and support from the HSE's Dublin Midlands regional executive officer and senior management.

CHI's CEO is restructuring the Clinical Directorate, the recruitment of clinical speciality leads is underway, and centralised referral is now being mandated across all CHI surgical services.

It is important that CHI is given the support and the time to continue the significant reform underway across both current services and in preparation for the new children’s hospital.

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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890. To ask the Minister for Health if a CHI oncology risk assessment completed on 27 August 2021 identified concerns in the oncology general surgery service at CHI; the risk score outlined in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32581/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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891. To ask the Minister for Health if any insourcing agreement with the NTPF and urology clinics at CHI did not adhere to a memorandum of understanding as set out by the NTPF; the dates of the clinics and the number of patients seen at each clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32582/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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892. To ask the Minister for Health if she was provided with any reports which cited a toxic and siloed culture at CHI; the date she received such a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32583/25]

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On Monday 26 May, the internal CHI report referred in the media was provided to the Department from the HSE. I note Children’s Health Ireland's (CHI) publication of a summary of the internal examination (2022) on 16 June.

A succession of extant and pending reports have raised corporate and clinical governance concerns at CHI. In response to these, I have moved to strengthen governance and oversight structures at CHI by appointing two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI.

The service level agreement between CHI and the HSE has been strengthened in relation to operational oversight. There has also been increased involvement and support from the HSE's Dublin Midlands regional executive officer and senior management.

CHI's CEO is restructuring the Clinical Directorate, the recruitment of clinical speciality leads is underway, and centralised referral is now being mandated across all CHI surgical services.

It is important that CHI is given the support and the time to continue the significant reform underway across both current services and in preparation for the new children’s hospital.

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