HSE Board

The HSE Board is accountable to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality (Department of Children, Disability and Equality).

It oversees the HSE on a national level. It is our senior decision-making body and has a series of responsibilities including strategic direction and delivery, risk assessment, and developing the vision and culture of the organisation.

The CEO reports to the Board, making sure the HSE is managed in an efficient way. However, there are certain important tasks that only the Board can do – these are called reserved functions. These include approving major plans, policies, and reports for the organisation.

The Board’s main areas of work include:

• business planning and monitoring
• running the HSE according to agreed performance standards
• making recommendations about what decisions can be delegated
• financial guidance
• encouraging dialogues between the HSE and government departments, arm’s length bodies, other organisations and the communities the HSE supports

The National Performance Report (NPR) is the Board’s main tool for oversight of the health service. It is part of the CEO’s Report submitted for each monthly Board meeting. It is also shared with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. It aims to provide the Board with a monthly report on progress against key programmes and priorities.

HSE Board

The HSE Board members bring a range of skills and experience in health policy, governance and finance to guide the HSE.

They are appointed by the Minister for Health after consultation with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

These are:

• Ciarán Devane, Chair
• Tim Hynes
• Aogán Ó Fearghall
• Dr Yvonne Traynor
• Brendan Whelan
• Anne Carrigy
• Matt Walsh
• Lily Collison
• Michael Cawley
• Kenneth Mealy

HSE board meeting minutes

Committees of the board

The Board has set up the following Committees to help and advise it on specific subjects:

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Performance Committee
• Strategy and Reform Committee

Each committee has an appointed Chairperson, and includes members and non-members of the Board.

Learn more about the committees and their members