Regional Health Forum Minutes - HSE Dublin and South East - 21 May 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 March were adopted on the proposal of Cllr. Declan Barry and seconded by Cllr. Pat Dunphy.

Follow-up required regarding the invitation of CEO and Chair of HSE to attend a RHF meeting.

Members present

Cllr. Adrienne Wallace*, Cllr. Anna Grainger, Cllr. Adam Wyse, Cllr. Caroline Winstanley*, Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Cllr. Declan Barry, Cllr. Dermot Lacey*, Cllr. Fergal Browne, Cllr. Frank Staples*, Cllr. Ger Frisby, Cllr. Jacqueline Burke, Cllr. Joe Sullivan, Cllr. Joe Behan, Cllr. John Coonan*, Cllr. John Fleming*, Cllr. John O’Leary, Cllr. Justin Moylan*, Cllr. Lauren Tuite*, Cllr. Liam Brazil*, Cllr. Marie Murphy*, Cllr. Pat Dunphy, Cllr. Roger Kennedy, Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Cllr. Vicky Barron*.

Apologies

Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Cllr. Daniel Pender, Cllr. Jim Gildea, Cllr. John Pratt, Cllr. Thomas Joseph.

HSE representatives present

Martina Queally, Regional Executive Officer; Emma Finn, Regional Director of Communications and Public Affairs; Aisling Heffernan, IHA Manager, Dublin South and Wicklow; Roseanne Killeen, IHA Manager, Carlow Kilkenny and Tipperary South*, Sinéad Reynolds, IHA Manager, Waterford Wexford; Ben O’Sullivan, General Manager, UHW; Craig Doyle, Acting Assistant National Director of Capital and Estates; Catherine Redican, Regional Director of Finance; Carmel Mullaney, Regional Director of Public Health.

*Attended online

Cllr. Damien Geoghegan proposed Cllr. Pat Dunphy as Chairperson, seconded by Cllr. Declan Barry.

Cllr. Damien Geoghegan proposed Cllr. Declan Barry as Vice Chairperson, seconded by Cllr. John O’Leary.

Both nominations were agreed without opposition and so, carried unanimously.

Correspondence noted. Update awaited on Shingles vaccine.

2 (b) Regional Executive Officer Service Update

The REO provided an update on regional structures, workforce, financial position, and National Care Experience Programme. Follow up required regarding naming of South Kilkenny on the regional maps.

2 (c) Update from Emma Finn, Regional Director of Communications and Public Affairs

Emma Finn provided updates on patient and service user engagement, campaigns, Men’s Health Week and service updates. Expression of Interest to be shared with the RHF Cllrs via email, along with Men’s Health planned activity.

Ben O’Sullivan, General Manager, UHW, provides updates on Surgical Hub, lab expansion and 24/7 cardiac service. Follow up required to furnish tender cost vs actual cost to date.

(a) To ask the HSE what plans it has to develop and implement a long-term residential care plan for disabled persons and if it is in any liaison with Government Departments such as Housing or Health towards doing so. (Cllr. Dermot Lacey) - discussion recorded with commitment to follow up.

(b) That the Dublin South East Regional Health Forum support the provision of a shingles vaccination programme for persons aged 66 years of age and over and that this service be provided free of charge to the recipients. (Cllr. Jim Gildea) Bring forward to next meeting as Cllr. Gildea absent.

(c) Can the HSE give a detailed and up to date account of the current position, Re the provision of a Primary Care Centre for Gorey County Wexford. I would also ask for a timeline as to when the said facility would be reasonably expected to be operational? (Cllr. Joe Sullivan) – response issued.

(a) What are the latest developments for the new Holy Angel's Facility in Carlow and what is the timeline for delivery?. (Cllr. Adrienne Wallace)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(b) What concrete steps or changes has the HSE taken to address the waiting list for the CDNT Carlow? (Cllr. Adrienne Wallace)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(c) To ask for an update in relation to speech and language therapists for county Carlow and if any vacancies exist for either adults and or for children. (Cllr. Fergal Browne)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(d) To ask the HSE if there is any update on the HSE response to aid the victims of Faetaol Alcohol Syndrome. (Cllr. Dermot Lacey)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(e) To ask the HSE for an update on plans for Primary Care Centres in the Dublin Bay South Dail Constituency. (Cllr. Dermot Lacey)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(f) To ask the HSE to provide a comprehensive update, with possible timelines, for the provision of a Primary Care Clinic at Cherrywood, Dublin 18. (Cllr. Jim Gildea)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(g) To ask the HSE how long it takes on average to provide a standard wheelchair to a patient in need of this service. (Cllr. Jim Gildea)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(h) Can the relevant HSE section with responsibility for the care of older people in the Bray/Nth Wicklow area consider re-establishing the daycare centre at St. Clare's Centre on Killarney Road, Bray. (Cllr. Joe Behan)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(i) How many vape shop licenses are currently active in each of the towns of Gorey, Wexford, New Ross and Enniscorthy? Can I have a list of those shops please? How many businesses have applied for a license to sell vape products at the moment in each of the 4 towns in County Wexford? (Seeking to know how many of the shops currently open have actually applied for a license). (Cllr. Vicky Barron)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(j) What controls are in place to ensure shops selling vape products actually do apply for their license within 6 months of opening as per legislation? Is there a 'volume' of vape product which can be sold without ever applying for a license? If vape shops are licensed under the HSE, do we have inspectors calling to premises to ensure they are compliant with all regulations etc.? (Cllr. Vicky Barron)

A written response was circulated and noted.

(k) Can the HSE outline why supported care homes such as St Lazerian's House in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow are excluded from the RSI and REE funding schemes and if there are any plans to include them going forward. (Cllr. Daniel Pender)

A written response was circulated and noted.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 18 June 2026 at Carlow County Buildings, Athy Rd, Carlow, R93 E7R7