SLT members and teams joined the meeting
2.1 Final Draft National Service Plan 2026 including Capital Plans 2026 (Building & Equipment and Digital for Care)
The Chair welcomed the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members and their teams to the meeting. Board members considered with the CEO and accompanying SLT members the following draft documentation which had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
- National Service Plan (NSP) 2026,
- Capital Plan (Building and Equipment) 2026,
- Capital Plan (Digital for Care) 2026,
- Final draft Performance Accountability Framework 2026,
- Final draft Disability Pay and Numbers Strategy 2026.
The CEO presented to the Board the final draft NSP 2026 and Capital Plans 2026 which are to be submitted in line with legislation to the Minister for Health and Minister for Children, Disability and Equality within 21 days of receipt of the LoD.
The Board were advised that the draft NSP and Capital Plans 2026 had been prepared following feedback from the Board, the Performance Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, the Strategy & Reform Committee, the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE).
The Chair of the Strategy & Reform Committee advised the Board that the draft NSP 2026 and Capital Plan (Digital for Care) 2026 were considered and endorsed by the Performance Committee and the Strategy & Reform Committee at a meeting on 10 November 2025.
The Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee provided an update to the Board in relation to the Capital Plan (Building & Equipment) 2026, which was considered and endorsed by the Committee at a meeting on 14 November 2025.
The Board noted that the NSP had been prepared to signal a strong delivery focus, incorporating quantifiable targets and measurable actions, which marks a stepped change in the maturing of the Regional delivery model, and the Planning, Enablement, Performance and Assurance (PEPA) focus at the Centre. The Board welcomed that the NSP emphasises doing more with existing resources, while ensuring that any additional investment and new posts are directed toward key areas such as capital infrastructure to increase capacity and digital developments. Activity metrics and KPIs have been set to reflect the absorption of 5% to 10% demographic demand and to improve access to care measures; the additional investment in Disability Services, as well as ambitions to improve access, timeliness and outcomes for disabled people. It sets out clear priorities to enable Regions and National Services to effectively prepare their 2026 Operational Plans.
The ND Planning and Performance advised the Board that the Performance and Accountability Framework (PAF) 2026 is also due for submission along with the NSP 2026, which is the first time the HSE’s PAF will formally be submitted to the Minister. The Board welcomed that the PAF has been updated to strengthen levels of accountability within a devolved regional system, clarifies the role of the HSE Centre and provides concrete steps to be taken in the event of performance not improving.
The Board noted the final draft of the Disability Pay and Numbers Strategy 2026, which marks the first strategy specifically for Disability funded services, following the separation and transfer of functions from the DoH to the DCDE, for submission to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
The Board agreed to adopt the National Service Plan 2026, Capital Plan 2026 (Buildings and Equipment), Capital Plan 2026 (Digital for Care), and Performance and Accountability Framework 2026 for submission to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for approval. Decision No.: 181125/52
The Board delegated the authority to the CEO to engage directly with both Ministers to discuss any clarifications or agree any minor amendments to the NSP 2026.
The Chairperson acknowledged the work of the CEO and SLT in producing the National Service Plan 2026.