HSE board meeting minutes 25 March 2026

Present

Mr Ciarán Devane (Chairperson), Dr Yvonne Traynor (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Brendan Whelan, Mr Aogán Ó Fearghail, Mr Tim Hynes, Ms Anne Carrigy, Mr Matt Walsh, Mr Michael Cawley, Mr Kenneth Mealy and Mr Patrick Bailey.

Apologies

Ms Lily Collison

In Attendance for Board Meeting

Ms Anne O’Connor (CEO), Ms Grace Rothwell (ND Access and Integration), Mr Pat Healy, (ND Services and Schemes), Mr Mark Brennock (ND Communications), Mr Joseph Duggan (CIA), Mr Tony Canavan (REO West and North West), Ms Sandra Broderick (REO Mid West), Mr Michael Lane (A/CFO), Dr Andy Phillips (REO South East), Ms Martina Queally (REO Dublin & South East), Ms Aoife O’Donoghue (AND Access & Integration, Disability Services), Mr Patrick Lynch (ND Planning & Performance), Mr Brian O’Connell (ND Strategic Health Infrastructure and Capital Delivery), Mr Fran Thompson (CIO), Dr Philippa Ryan Withero (AND HR), Mr Gareth Morton (ND Procurement), Ms Orlagh Claffey (IHA Manager Dublin South West), Mr Robert Kidd (IHA Manager Dublin North County), Ms Mairead Dolan (Asst CFO), Ms Elaine Kilroe (AND ERM), Mr Paul Gahan (AND HR), Ms Emer Moran (Asst CFO Community Finance), Mr Brian Murphy (CEO Office), Ms Niamh Drew (Deputy Corporate Secretary), Ms Patricia Perry (Office of the Board).

Joined the meeting

Ms Norma Foley TD (Minister for Children, Disability & Equality), Ms Emer Higgins TD (Minster of State for Disabilities), Mr Kevin McCarthy (Secretary General), Mr Colm Ó Conaill (Assistant Secretary General), and Mr James Gibbs (Principal Officer)

Minutes reflect the order in which items were considered and are numbered in accordance with the original agenda. All performance/activity data used in this document refers to the latest information available at the time.

The Chairperson welcomed members to the meeting and provided an update to the Board during their private session.

1.1 Declarations of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

1.2 Chairperson’s Remarks

The Chairperson provided an update to the Board on a number of matters that would be discussed during the meeting.

1.3 Ministerial Correspondence

- Letter from Minister for Health dated 24 February 2026

1.4 Minutes of Board meeting

The Board approved the minutes of the Board meeting of 26 February 2026.

The Board and CEO held a discussion in advance of the meeting with the Minister for Children, Disability & Equality, Minster of State for Disabilities, and Department officials.

3.1 Meeting with Minister for Children, Disability & Equality Ms Norma Foley, TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Disabilities, Ms Emer Higgins, TD

The Chair welcomed the Minister for Children, Disability & Equality (CDE), Ms Norma Foley TD; Minster of State for Disabilities, Ms Emer Higgins TD; Secretary General, Mr Kevin McCarthy; Assistant Secretary General, Mr Colm Ó Conaill; and Principal Officer, James Gibbs to the Board meeting to discuss matters relating to disability services.

Minister Foley and Minister Higgins welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Board and discussions took place relating to HSE leadership and capability; Governance and oversight; Finance and Capital; and Disability policy & service priorities relating to Disability Vision and Strategy – support in design and implementation, Respite – expansion of services, Residential – planned development of placements, and Children’s services.

Discussions highlighted challenges in understanding datasets, and the links between expenditure, activity, and workforce. Focus on identifying key insights, with the data used to support and inform those insights was considered.

Resources including funding, personnel, and appropriate placements was discussed including the recruitment of the National Director for Disability Services and the six Regional Disability Lead posts alongside the importance of strengthening regional supports, was identified by the Minister as a priority. It was noted that work should be effectively cascaded to Integrated Health Areas, disability managers, and other relevant roles. Additionally, a clear, accessible overview of the organisational structure for disability service delivery was recommended, including a simple one-page chart outlining roles and accountabilities.

Early planning for ageing parents of adult children with disabilities, was discussed, with a particular emphasis on prioritising planned residential placements and access to overnight respite services. In terms of supports, there was a focus on identifying ways to measure how families can be supported while on the Assessment of Need (AON) waiting list, and further engagement with education services and Tusla. It was noted that the Single Point of Access which will provide a standardised digital entry point for referrals to community services.

Discussion noted variation in performance across Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), with a need to focus on underperforming areas, understand the underlying causes, and address these as a priority. Improving productivity was also highlighted, including measures such as offering roles to graduates within CDNTs, exploring an apprenticeship model, and strengthening approaches to scheduling and community connection.

Compliance with the signing of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the HSE and Section 38 and 39 organisations was discussed, and the need for a clear description of the proposed disability enterprise structure as an interim step for Section 38 organisations, including the scope of activity, services involved, and how funding will be linked to service delivery.

A discussion took place in relation to the need for a clear line of sight on IFMS reporting in relation to HSE activity; the investment and delivery of the Capital Programme in relation to specialist disability health projects; and it was also noted that close engagement with the HSE and the Department in relation to the Disability Strategy will be essential in progressing disability services.

The Chair thanked both Ministers and Department officials for joining the Board meeting which provided a good opportunity to engage on and consider progress to date and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in disability services.

Minister for CDE, Minister of State for Disability and Department officials left the meeting

4.1 Audit and Risk Committee

The minutes of Committee meetings of 23 January and 13 February 2026 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meeting that took place on 13 March 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• Issues relating to the application of pension abatement of HSE pensioners, noting that the Committee were not satisfied with the recommended approach suggested and did not agree to recommend to the Board. The ARC Chair advised that the Committee asked that further information be brought back to the April meeting.
• The Board asked whether updates concerning Non Specialist Division of the Register (SDR) Consultants should be reported to the Performance Committee instead of the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Two Contract Approval Requests were not recommended for Board approval, as the Committee requested further clarification on both. These will be revisited at the April meeting.

4.2 Performance Committee

The minutes of Committee meetings of 22 January and 19 February 2026 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meeting that took place on 19 February and 19 March 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• Membership of the Committee with a new External member required.
• In relation to the Children’s Hospital Ireland, it was confirmed that the governance and culture risks are actively being managed, and the Board agreed that the matter should cease being included as a standing item on the Performance Committee’s workplan, noting that there are 3 HSE Board members on the CHI Board.
• The proposed 2 year Action Plan for Oral Health which sets out a focused programme to stabilise oral health services, reduce waiting times and deliver improvements in access for patients, which the Committee will receive quarterly updates going forward.
• Accountability for the POCC and implementation in the regions.

4.3 Strategy and Reform Committee

The minutes of Committee meetings of 19 November 2025 were noted. The Committee Chairperson provided an overview to the Board on the matters considered at the Committee meeting that took place on 23 March 2026.

The Board held a discussion on the following areas:

• Membership of the Committee with new External members required.
• Noting that the current People Strategy is a comprehensive 2 year strategy which aligns more closely with the Performance Committee’s remit, focus is required for a longer term broader strategy with an emphasis on transforming behaviours and organisational culture.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) and the level of patient and clinical engagement, and degree of confidence in the defined technical requirements.

5.1 Introduction from CEO and Objectives for 2026

The Board congratulated and welcomed Ms Anne O’Connor to the role of Chief Executive Officer and outlined some of the Board objectives for 2026.

The CEO commenced by thanking the Board for the kind welcome and outlined her objectives and priorities which she discussed with the Board.

5.2 CEO Monthly Report

Members of the Senior Leadership Team joined the meeting

National Performance Report

The monthly National Performance Report (NPR) January 2026 data was presented to the Board.

The Performance Committee also reviewed this at its meeting on 19 March 2026. The Board approved the January 2026 NPR for submission to the Minister for Health, and Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), and noted that once submitted, the NPR will be published on hse.ie.

The Board discussed with the CEO and SLT the YTD Financial Position as at end February 2026, noting that the HSE is over the overall expenditure budget by €150.7m / 3.2%, (deficit of €145.8m Department of Health (DoH) and €5.0m Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE)). It was agreed that a focused oversight on the HSE Financial Position and Funding Challenges for 2026 was required to ensure early identification of risks to delivery, and that a Task and Finish Group (TFG) would be convened with Board members of the Audit and Risk Committee. It was noted that the brief of the TFG will be to receive an update on the current financial position, consider and discuss the information presented, and make recommendations, with a view to supporting their implementation.

6.1 Contracts & Properties

As recommended by the Audit & Risk Committee for approval, the Board considered and approved the following proposed contracts and properties:

The Board held a discussion with the National Director Strategic Health Infrastructure and Capital Delivery in relation to the investment and delivery of the Capital Programme in relation to specialist disability health projects, as was previously discussed with the Minister for CDE and Minister of State.

6.2 Adoption of draft Annual Financial Statements 2025

The CEO recommended the draft Annual Financial Statements (AFS) 2025 to the Board for adoption.

• draft Financial Statements 2025 and notes to the Accounts including draft accounting

policies (AFS);

• draft Statement on Internal Control (SIC)

The ARC Chair advised the Board that the ARC had reviewed the draft AFS 2025 at its meeting on 13 March 2026 and on behalf of the ARC recommended the draft AFS to the Board for adoption.

In accordance with the requirements of Section 36 of the Health Act 2004, the Board adopted the draft AFS and draft Statement of Internal Controls for submission to the Minister for Health and Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and the C&AG for audit and the Chairperson and CEO were nominated to sign the accounts. Decision No.: 250326/17

The Board noted that the audit is on-going and the accounts will not be considered final until the audit has concluded and any material changes that may arise have been considered and actioned. It is expected subject to the progression of the C&AG audit that the final draft will be brought to the Board in May and any material changes to the AFS and disclosures will be explained.

6.3 Private Health Insurance DPER Sanction

As recommended by the Audit & Risk Committee for approval, the Board considered and approved the Private Health Insurance DPER Sanction. Decision No.: 250326/18

6.4 Risk Appetite Statement

The Board approved the HSE Risk Appetite Statement 2026. Decision No.: 250326/19

It was agreed that a Board member and AND ERM would hold a discussion offline in relation to the RAS.

Further to the Strategic Discussions/Workshops held at the January 2026 Board meeting, it was agreed that a programme of work be developed by SLT based on the Board inputs and discussion at the meeting and brought back to the Board.

The Board, CEO and members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) held a discussion on two topics:

• Non Pay savings programme 2026
• Senior Leadership Development

There was no further business. The meeting concluded at 3.45pm.