Health Act 2004

Health Act 2004 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2004 Health Act 2004 Health Act 2004 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 42 of 2004 HEALTH ACT 2004 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART 1 Preliminary Matters Section 1. Short title, collective citation and construction. 2. Interpretation. 3. Commencement. 4. Establishment day. 5. Expenses. PART 2 Establishment and Functions of the Health Service Executive 6. Establishment of Executive. 7. Object and functions of Executive. 8. Agreements between Executive and public authorities concerning performance of functions. 9. Informal arrangements between Executive and local authorities concerning performance of functions. 10. Directions from Minister. PART 3 The Board of the Health Service Executive 11. Membership of Board. 12. Role of Board. 13. Conditions of office. 14. Removal of members from office. 15. Committees of Board. 16. Remuneration and expenses of members of Board and committees. PART 4 Chief Executive Officer 17. Appointment of chief executive officer. 18. Functions of chief executive officer and their performance by deputy. 19. Delegation of functions. 20. Chief executive officer to be accounting officer. 21. Attendance of chief executive officer before Oireachtas Committees. PART 5 Employees and Advisers 22. Employees of Executive. 23. Superannuation. 24. Advisers. PART 6 Standards and Disqualifications 25. Standards of integrity. 26. Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information. 27. Disqualification resulting from membership of either House of Oireachtas, European Parliament or local authority. PART 7 Accountability 28. Interpretation (Part 7). 29. Executive to prepare and submit corporate plan for Minister's approval. 30. Publication and implementation of approved corporate plan. 31. Executive to prepare and submit service plan for Minister's approval. 32. Amendment of approved service plan. 33. Implementation of approved service plan. 34. Minister's permission needed for major capital spending. 35. Code of governance. 36. Accounts of Executive. 37. Annual report. 38. Arrangements with service providers. 39. Assistance for certain bodies. 40. Gifts. PART 8 Public Representation and User Participation 41. National Health Consultative Forum. 42. Regional health forums. 43. Mechanisms (including advisory panels) to enable Executive to consult with local communities and others. 44. Other advisory panels to be established on Minister's direction. PART 9 Complaints 45. Definitions (Part 9). 46. Who may make complaints. 47. Time limit for making complaints. 48. Matters excluded from right to complain. 49. Complaint and review procedures to be established. 50. Refusal to investigate or further investigate complaints. 51. Restriction on type of recommendations complaints officers may make and power to suspend implementation of recommendations. 52. Adherence to complaint and review procedures to be condition of arrangements with service providers. 53. Minister to make regulations for purposes of this Part. 54. Referral of complaints to Ombudsman or Ombudsman for Children. 55. Annual report to include report on complaints and reviews. PART 10 Dissolution of Certain Health Bodies and the Transfer of their Functions and Employees, etc., to the Executive 56. Definitions (Part 10). 57. Dissolution of Comhairle na nOspidéal and transfer of its functions. 58. Dissolution of health boards and other specified bodies. 59. Transfer of functions of specified bodies to Executive. 60. Transfer of employees of specified bodies to Executive. 61. Transfer of pension liabilities relating to former employees of specified bodies. 62. Transfer of property and liabilities to Executive. 63. Preservation of contracts, etc., and adaptation of references. 64. Pending legal proceedings. 65. Preservation of orders, notices, rules, records, etc. 66. References to specified bodies. 67. Functional areas of dissolved health boards. 68. References to chief executives of dissolved health boards. 69. References to deputy chief executives of dissolved health boards. 70. Dissolution of bodies established under Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961. 71. Final accounts of specified bodies and other dissolved bodies. 72. Executive to prepare final annual report for specified bodies and other dissolved bodies. PART 11 Repeals, Transitional Provisions and Amendment of Other Acts 73. Repeals and revocations. 74. Savings and transitional provisions. 75. Amendment of other Acts. PART 12 Miscellaneous Provisions 76. Effect of delegation and subdelegation of functions. 77. Certificate evidence concerning delegation of functions. 78. General power to make regulations and orders. 79. Regulations relating to members of either House of Oireachtas. 80. Laying of regulations and orders before Houses of Oireachtas. SCHEDULE 1 Acts Referred to in Definition of Health and Personal Social Services SCHEDULE 2 Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to the Executive and the Board SCHEDULE 3 Transfer of Functions and References to Functional Areas SCHEDULE 4 Repeals and Revocations SCHEDULE 5 Savings and Transitional Provisions SCHEDULE 6 Amendment of Other Acts SCHEDULE 7 Acts Referred to Adoption Act 1952 1952, No. 25 Adoption Act 1988 1988, No. 30 Adoption Act 1991 1991, No. 14 Adoption Act 1998 1998, No. 10 Adoption Acts 1952 to 1988 Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998 Adoptive Leave Act 1995 1995, No. 2 Births and Deaths Registration Acts l863 to 1996 Blind Persons Act 1920 1920, c.49 Carer's Leave Act 2001 2001, No. 19 Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991 1991, No. 6 Child Care Act 1991 1991, No. 17 Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001 Children Act 1997 1997, No. 40 Children Act 2001 2001, No. 24 Children Acts 1908 and 1989 Civil Registration Act 2004 2004, No. 3 Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997 1997, No. 17 Companies Act 1990 1990, No. 33 Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1866 to 1998 Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 1993, No. 8 Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 Dentists Act 1985 1985, No. 9 Domestic Violence Act 1996 1996, No. 1 Domestic Violence Acts 1996 and 2002 Education Act 1998 1998, No. 51 Education (Welfare) Act 2000 2000, No. 22 Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 2004, No. 30 Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 1995, No. 22 European Communities Act 1972 1972, No. 27 European Parliament Elections Act 1997 1997, No. 2 Family Law Act 1995 1995, No. 26 Family Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 1997, No. 18 Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976 1976, No. 11 Finance Acts 1989 to 2002 Freedom of Information Act 1997 1997, No. 13 Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998 1998, No. 29 Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 1964, No. 7 Harbours Act 1946 1946, No. 9 Health Act 1947 1947, No. 28 Health Act 1953 1953, No. 26 Health Act 1970 1970, No. 1 Health Acts 1947 to 1953 Health Acts 1947 to 2001 Health (Amendment) Act 2004 2004, No. 19 Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996 1996, No. 32 Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 1961, No. 27 Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999 1999, No. 13 Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001 2001, No. 14 Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 1990, No. 23 Housing Act 1988 1988, No. 28 Housing Acts 1966 to 2002 Housing (Miscellaneous Pro visions) Act 1997 1997, No. 21 Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 1998, No. 33 Immigration Act 1999 1999, No. 22 Immigration Act 2003 2003, No. 26 International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs Act 1987 1987, No. 20 Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 1995, No. 29 Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003 2003, No. 15 Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926 1926, No. 39 Local Government Act 2001 2001, No. 37 Maternity Protection Act 1994 1994, No. 34 Marriages (Ireland) Act 1844 1844, c. 81 Medical Practitioners Acts 1978 to 2002 Mental Health Act 2001 2001, No. 25 Mental Health Acts 1945 to 2001 Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2001 Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 1977, No. 12 Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 1984, No. 18 Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 National Beef Assurance Scheme Act 2000 2000, No. 2 National Development Finance Agency Act 2002 2002, No. 29 Notification of Births Acts 1907 and 1915 Nurses Act 1985 1985, No. 18 Ombudsman Act 1980 1980, No. 26 Ombudsman Acts 1980 to 1984 Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 2002, No. 22 Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 1997, No. 20 Parental Leave Act 1998 1998, No. 30 Protection of Children (Hague Convention) Act 2000 2000, No. 37 Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 2003, No. 29 Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 2001, No. 45 Protection of the Environment Act 2003 2003, No. 27 Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 1998, No. 49 Poisons Act 1961 1961, No. 12 Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 2002, No. 6 Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 2004, No. 6 Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 2004, No. 33 Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 1919, c. 72 Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2003 Refugee Act 1996 1996, No. 17 Registration of Marriages (Ireland) Act 1863 1863, c. 90 Registration of Maternity Homes Act 1934 1934, No. 14 Residential Tenancies Act 2004 2004, No. 27 Sex Offenders Act 2001 2001, No. 18 Social Welfare Acts Standards in Public Office Act 2001 2001, No. 31 State Lands (Workhouses) Act 1930 1930, No. 9 State Lands (Workhouses) Act 1962 1962, No. 8 Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Act 1988 1988, No. 24 Tobacco Products (Control of Advertising, Sponsorship and Sales Promotion) Act 1978 1978, No. 27 Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 1977, No. 10 Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2001 Unfair Dismissals (Amendment) Act 1993 1993, No. 22 Vocational Education Act 1930 1930, No. 29 Youth Work Act 2001 2001, No. 42 Number 42 of 2004 HEALTH ACT 2004 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A BODY TO BE KNOWN AS FEIDHMEANNACHT NA SEIRBHÍSE SLÁINTE OR IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS THE HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EASTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, THE NORTHERN AREA HEALTH BOARD, THE EAST COAST AREA HEALTH BOARD, THE SOUTHWESTERN AREA HEALTH BOARD, THE HEALTH BOARDS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HEALTH ACT 1970 AND CERTAIN OTHER BODIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DISSOLVED BODIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO THE HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE; TO ESTABLISH MECHANISMS FOR INVOLVING PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES, USERS OF HEALTH AND PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN MATTERS RELATING TO THOSE SERVICES; TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR HANDLING CERTAIN COMPLAINTS RELATING TO HEALTH AND PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES; TO ESTABLISH MECHANISMS FOR THE FUTURE DISSOLUTION OF CERTAIN OTHER HEALTH BODIES AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF THEIR FUNCTIONS AND EMPLOYEES TO THE HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [17th December, 2004] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: PART 1 Preliminary Matters Short title, collective citation and construction. 1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Health Act 2004. (2) The Health Acts 1947 to 2001 and this Act may be cited together as the Health Acts 1947 to 2004 and shall be construed together as one. Interpretation. 2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “Act of 1996” means the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996 ; “Act of 1999” means the Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999 ; “annual report” means a report prepared under section 37 ; “appointed member” means a member of the Board other than the chief executive officer; “Area Health Board” has the same meaning as in the Act of 1999; “Board” means the Board of the Executive; “carer” means a person who provides care for another person, but who is not employed to do so by any body in the performance of its functions under an enactment; “chairperson” means the chairperson of the Board; “chief executive officer” means the person holding the position of chief executive officer or interim chief executive officer of the Executive; “clinical judgment” means a decision made or opinion formed in connection with the diagnosis, care or treatment of a patient; “Eastern Regional Health Authority” means the body of that name established by section 7 of the Act of 1999; “enactment” means a statute or an instrument made under a power conferred by a statute; “establishment day” means the day appointed by the Minister under section 4 to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act; “Executive” means the Health Service Executive established under section 6 ; “functions” includes powers and duties and references to the performance of functions include, with respect to powers and duties, references to the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of duties; “health board” means a health board established under section 4 (1) of the Health Act 1970 ; “health and personal social services” means services that immediately before the establishment day were provided under the Acts referred to in Schedule 1 by a specified body as defined in section 56 of this Act, and references in this Act to a health or personal social service are to be read as references to any of those services; “Interim Health Service Executive” means the body of that name established under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 ; “local authority” has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 2001 ; “member” in relation to the Board includes the chairperson and the chief executive officer; “Minister” means Minister for Health and Children; “ordinary member” means a member of the Board other than the chairperson or the chief executive officer; “prescribed” means prescribed by regulation made by the Minister; “public authority” means any of the following: (a) a Minister of the Government; (b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland; (c) a local authority; (d) a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1946 ; (e) a board or other body (but not a company) established by or under statute; (f) a company in which all the shares are held by or on behalf of, or by directors appointed by, a Minister of the Government; (g) a company in which all the shares are held by a board, company or other body referred to in paragraph (e) or (f); (h) such other body, if any, as is prescribed for the purpose of any provision of this Act; “service provider” means a person who enters into an arrangement under section 38 to provide a health or personal social service on behalf of the Executive; “superannuation benefit” means a pension, gratuity or other allowance payable on resignation, retirement or death. (2) In this Act— (a) a reference to a section, Part or Schedule is a reference to a section or Part of, or a Schedule to, this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended, (b) a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended, and (c) a reference to an enactment includes a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended at any time by any enactment. Commencement. 3.—(1) This Act comes into operation on such day or days as the Minister may, by order, appoint. (2) Different days may be appointed under this section for different purposes or different provisions of this Act and for the repeal or revocation of different enactments by section 73 and Schedule 4 . Establishment day. 4.—The Minister shall, by order, appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act. Expenses. 5.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in administering this Act are, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, payable out of money provided by the Oireachtas. PART 2 Establishment and Functions of the Health Service Executive Establishment of Executive. 6.—(1) On the establishment day a body to be known as Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte or in the English language as the Health Service Executive is, by this Act, established to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act. (2) The Executive is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a seal and may— (a) sue and be sued in its corporate name, (b) subject to the Health Acts 1947 to 2001, acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land, and (c) acquire, hold and dispose of any other kind of property. (3) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 applies in relation to the seal of the Executive. Object and functions of Executive. 7.—(1) The object of the Executive is to use the resources available to it in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public. (2) Subject to this Act, the Executive shall, to the extent practicable, further its object. (3) Without limiting the Executive's responsibilities under subsection (2) or (4), it has— (a) the functions transferred to it by section 59 or by an order under section 70 , and (b) such other functions as are assigned to it by this Act or any other enactment. (4) The Executive shall manage and shall deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services in accordance with this Act and shall— (a) integrate the delivery of health and personal social services, (b) to the extent practicable and necessary to enable the Executive to perform its functions, facilitate the education and training of— (i) students training to be registered medical practitioners, nurses or other health professionals, and (ii) its employees and the employees of service providers, and (c) provide advice to the Minister in relation to its functions as the Minister may request. (5) In performing its functions, the Executive shall have regard to— (a) services provided by voluntary and other bodies that are similar or ancillary to the services the Executive is authorised to provide, (b) the need to co-operate with, and co-ordinate its activities with those of, other public authorities if the performance of their functions affects or could affect the health of the public, (c) the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government to the extent that those policies and objectives may affect or relate to the functions of the Executive, (d) the resources, wherever originating, that are available to it for the purpose of performing its functions, and (e) the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources. (6) The Executive may undertake, commission or collaborate in research projects on issues relating to health and personal social services, but, in considering whether to do so, it shall have regard to any decision by another body or person within the State to undertake, commission or collaborate in such projects. (7) The power given by subsection (6) includes the power to collaborate in research projects involving parties from outside the State. (8) Subject to this or any other enactment, the Executive has all powers necessary or expedient for it to perform its functions. Agreements between Executive and public authorities concerning performance of functions. 8.—(1) If any function of a public authority should, in its opinion, be performed (whether generally or in a particular case) by the Executive and the Executive is able and willing to perform the function, the Executive and that authority may enter into an agreement for the Executive to perform the function on the authority's behalf. (2) If an agreement is entered into for the Executive to perform a function of a public authority, the Executive may— (a) perform the function on behalf of the public authority in accordance with the agreement, and (b) do any act or thing relating to the performance of that function that the public authority would be authorised by law to do if it performed the function. (3) If any function of the Executive should, in its opinion, be performed (whether generally or in a particular case) by a public authority and that authority is able and willing to perform the function, the authority and the Executive may enter into an agreement for the authority to perform the function on the Executive's behalf. (4) If an agreement is entered into for a public authority to perform a function of the Executive, the public authority may— (a) perform the function on the Executive's behalf in accordance with the agreement, and (b) do any act or thing relating to the performance of that function that the Executive would be authorised by law to do if it performed the function. (5) An agreement under this section may contain terms and conditions relating to— (a) the extent to which and the period for which a party to the agreement is authorised to perform the function of the other party to the agreement, (b) the making of payments or the transfer of financial responsibility, and (c) such other matters as are considered necessary to give effect to the agreement. (6) An agreement under this section may provide for charges payable by the party on whose behalf the function is to be performed to the other party to the agreement. (7) The power of a local authority to enter into an agreement under this section is a reserved function of the local authority. Informal arrangements between Executive and local authorities concerning performance of functions. 9.—(1) If a local authority is of the opinion that it would be convenient if duties relating to its functions were carried out by an employee of the Executive, those duties may, without an agreement being entered into under section 8 , be assigned by the Executive to any of its employees in the same way as duties relating to its functions. (2) If the Executive is of the opinion that it would be convenient if duties relating to its functions were carried out by an employee of a local authority, those duties may, without an agreement being entered into under section 8 , be assigned by the local authority to any of its employees in the same way as duties relating to the functions of the local authority. (3) Duties assigned in accordance with this section may be carried out by the employees to whom they are so assigned. Directions from Minister. 10.—(1) The Minister may issue general written directions to the Executive— (a) for any purpose relating to this Act or any other enactment, and (b) concerning any matter or thing referred to in this Act as specified or to be specified, or as determined or to be determined, by the Minister. (2) In addition, the Minister may issue specific written directions to the Executive concerning the submission to the Minister, in such manner and within such period as the Minister may specify, of— (a) reports on any matter relating to Part 7 or relating in any other way to the performance of the Executive's functions, even though such reports are the subject of a direction under subsection (1), and (b) any information or statistics relating to the performance of the Executive's functions. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) are not to be taken to limit a power to issue directions conferred on the Minister by any other provision of this Act. (4) The Minister may, by written direction, amend or revoke any direction issued by the Minister under this Act. (5) The Executive shall comply with a direction issued by the Minister under this Act. (6) The Minister shall ensure that, within 21 days after issuing a direction under subsection (1) or (4), a copy of the direction is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. PART 3 The Board of the Health Service Executive Membership of Board. Role of Board. 11.—(1) The Executive is to have a Board consisting of— (a) 11 members (including the chairperson and 10 ordinary members) appointed by the Minister in accordance with this section, and (b) the person holding the position of chief executive officer who, by virtue of that position, is a member of the Board. (2) Appointments to the Board under subsection (1)(a) or paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 2 are to be made from among persons who, in the Minister's opinion, have sufficient experience and expertise relating to matters connected with the Executive's functions to enable them to make a substantial contribution to the performance of those functions. (3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of the Board or a committee of the Board, if the person is— (a) a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament, (b) regarded, pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy, or (c) a member of a local authority. (4) The Minister shall, to the extent practicable, endeavour to ensure that there is an equitable balance between men and women in the composition of the Board. (5) The Minister shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after a person is appointed to the Board under this section or paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 2, a notice to that effect that includes the person's name is published in Iris Oifigiúil. (6) Schedule 2 applies in relation to the Board. Role of Board. 12.—(1) The Board is the governing body of the Executive with authority, in the name of the Executive, to perform the functions of the Executive. (2) The Board may delegate to the chief executive officer any of the Executive's functions. (3) If a function of the Executive is delegated to the chief executive officer under subsection (2), the delegation remains in force until the Board revokes the delegation. (4) The Board shall inform the Minister of any matter that it considers requires the Minister's attention. Condition of office 13.—(1) The Minister may at any time remove an appointed member from office if— (a) in the Minister's opinion, the member has become incapable through ill-health of performing the functions of the office, (b) in the Minister's opinion, the member has committed stated misbehaviour, (c) the member's removal from office appears to the Minister to be necessary for the Board to perform its functions in an effective manner, (d) the member has contravened section 25 (1) or 26 of this Act or an applicable provision of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 , or (e) in performing functions under this Act, the member has not been guided by a code of conduct that has been drawn up under section 10 (3) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 and that relates to the appointed member. (2) An appointed member ceases to hold office if the member— (a) is adjudicated bankrupt, (b) makes a composition or arrangement with creditors, (c) is convicted of an indictable offence, (d) is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, (e) is the subject of an order under section 160 of the Companies Act 1990 , (f) is sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (g) is removed by a competent authority for any reason (other than failure to pay a fee) from any register established for the purpose of registering members of a profession. (3) A member who does not, for a consecutive period of 6 months, attend a meeting of the Board ceases at the end of that period to hold office unless the member demonstrates to the Minister's satisfaction that the failure to attend was due to illness. (4) In this section “applicable provision of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 ”, in relation to an appointed member, means a provision of that Act that by virtue of a regulation under section 3 of that Act applies to that member. Removal of members from office 14.—(1) The Minister may remove all the members of the Board from office if— (a) the Board fails to achieve a quorum for 3 consecutive meetings, (b) the Board does not comply with a judgment, order or decree of any court, (c) the Board does not comply with a direction of the Minister or any other requirement imposed on it by or under any enactment including this Act, or (d) the Minister is satisfied that the Board's functions are not being performed in an effective manner. (2) The Minister may, if of the opinion that the Board's functions are not being performed in an effective manner, appoint a person to— (a) conduct an independent review of any matter giving rise to that opinion, and (b) submit a report to the Minister on the results of the review. (3) The Board shall co-operate with any such review and give the person conducting it all reasonable assistance, including access to such premises, equipment and records as the person may require for the purposes of the review. (4) The chief executive officer does not cease to hold that position solely because he or she ceases to be a member of the Board when the members are removed from office under this section. (5) The removal of the members of the Board from office does not revoke or otherwise affect any delegation of the Executive's functions to the chief executive officer under section 12 (2). Committees of Board 15.—(1) The Board may establish committees to provide assistance and advice to it in relation to the performance of its functions and may determine the membership and terms of reference of each committee. (2) The Board may appoint to a committee persons who are not members of the Board but have special knowledge and experience related to the purposes of the committee. (3) The appointment of a person to a committee is subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined— (a) under section 16 , to the extent that they relate to remuneration and allowances, and (b) by the Board, in any other case. (4) The Board shall specify in writing the purpose and terms of reference of each committee. (5) The acts of a committee are subject to confirmation by the Board, unless the Board dispenses with the necessity for confirmation. (6) The Board may regulate the procedure of a committee but, subject to any such regulation, a committee may regulate its own procedure. (7) The Board may at any time dissolve a committee established under this section. Remuneration and expenses of members of Board and committees. 16.—(1) The remuneration and allowances for expenses, if any, determined in accordance with subsection (3) are payable by the Executive out of funds at its disposal to— (a) the appointed members of the Board, and (b) the members of a committee of the Board, other than the chief executive officer. (2) The remuneration and allowances for expenses, if any, determined in accordance with subsection (3) are payable by the Minister out of money provided by the Oireachtas to a person appointed under section 14 (2) to conduct an independent review. (3) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determine the remuneration and expenses payable under this section. (4) This section is not to be taken to limit— (a) the power of the appointed members to determine in accordance with section 17 (5) the remuneration and allowances for expenses payable to the chief executive officer (including allowances relating to his or her functions as a member of the Board or a committee of the Board), or (b) the chief executive officer's entitlement to be paid the remuneration and allowances so determined. PART 4 Chief Executive Officer Appointment of chief executive officer. 17.—(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the appointed members of the Board shall appoint a person recruited in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 to be the chief executive officer of the Executive. (2) A person is not eligible for appointment as the chief executive officer if the person is— (a) a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament, (b) regarded, pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy, or (c) a member of a local authority. (3) The Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Board, appoint a person to be the first chief executive officer of the Executive. (4) Pending the appointment of the first chief executive officer, the Minister may, on the recommendation of the Board of the Interim Health Service Executive, appoint a person to be the interim chief executive officer. (5) A person appointed as chief executive officer holds office on the terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration, allowances and superannuation) that— (a) in the case of the interim chief executive officer, have been determined by the Interim Health Service Executive with the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, and (b) in any other case, may be determined by the appointed members of the Board of the Executive with the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance. (6) The remuneration and allowances determined under subsection (5) are payable to the chief executive officer by the Executive out of funds at its disposal. (7) The chief executive officer is suspended from office as a member of the Board during any period of suspension or secondment from his or her position as chief executive officer. Functions of chief executive officer and their performance by deputy. 18.—(1) The chief executive officer shall— (a) carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the Executive, (b) perform such other functions as may be assigned to that officer by or under this Act or other enactment or as may be delegated to him or her by the Board, and (c) supply the Board with such information (including financial information) relating to the performance of his or her functions as the Board may require. (2) The chief executive officer is responsible to the Board for the performance of his or her functions and the implementation of the Board's policies. (3) If the chief executive officer is absent or the position of chief executive officer is vacant, the functions of the chief executive officer under this section may be performed by such employee of the Executive as may be appointed by the Board from time to time to act as deputy chief executive officer. (4) For the purpose of subsection (3), references in a provision of this Act or another enactment that assigns functions to the chief executive officer or that regulates the manner in which a function assigned to the chief executive officer is to be performed are to be read as references to the employee appointed under this section as deputy chief executive officer. Delegation of functions. 19.—(1) Subject to any directions that may be issued by the Board, the chief executive officer may in writing— (a) delegate any of his or her functions under section 18 (including those relating to financial matters) to employees of the Executive specified by name, position or otherwise, and (b) authorise the subdelegation of any or all delegated functions to or by other such employees. (2) Any function delegated or subdelegated under this section to an employee is to be performed by the employee under the general direction and control of the chief executive officer and in compliance with such directions, limitations and guidelines as may be specified by— (a) in the case of a delegated function, the chief executive officer, or (b) in the case of a subdelegated function, the employee who subdelegated that function. (3) The delegation or subdelegation of a function does not preclude the person who for the time being holds the position of chief executive officer from performing the function. (4) The chief executive officer may— (a) vary any delegation of a function under this section, including by modifying the geographical area to which the delegation relates, (b) revoke such delegation, or (c) without revoking the delegation, revoke any subdelegation of the function. (5) On varying or revoking the delegation or subdelegation of a function, the chief executive officer shall inform each employee to whom the function was delegated or subdelegated of its variation or revocation. (6) An employee of the Executive who subdelegates a function delegated or subdelegated to the employee under this section— (a) may vary the subdelegation, including by modifying the geographical area to which it relates, (b) may revoke the subdelegation, and (c) is not precluded from performing the function. (7) On varying or revoking the subdelegation of a function, the employee who subdelegated the function shall inform each employee to whom the function was subdelegated of its variation or revocation. Chief executive officer to be accounting officer. 20.—The chief executive officer is the accounting officer in relation to the appropriation accounts of the Executive for the purposes of the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts 1866 to 1998. Attendance of chief executive officer before Oireachtas Committees. 21.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the chief executive officer shall, at the written request of an Oireachtas Committee, attend before it to give an account of the general administration of the Executive. (2) The chief executive officer is not required to give an account before an Oireachtas Committee of any matter relating to the general administration of the Executive that is, or is likely to be, the subject of proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State. (3) The chief executive officer shall, if of the opinion that subsection (2) applies to a matter about which that officer is requested to give an account before an Oireachtas Committee, inform the Committee of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion. (4) The information required under subsection (3) to be given to the Oireachtas Committee must be given in writing unless it is given when the chief executive officer is before the Committee. (5) If, on being informed of the chief executive officer's opinion about the matter, the Oireachtas Committee decides not to withdraw its request, the High Court may, on application under subsection (6), determine whether subsection (2) applies to the matter. (6) An application for a determination under subsection (5) may be made in a summary manner to the High Court by— (a) the chief executive officer not later than 21 days after being informed by the Oireachtas Committee of its decision not to withdraw its request, or (b) the chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee acting on its behalf. (7) Pending the determination of an application under subsection (6), the chief executive officer shall not attend before the Oireachtas Committee to give an account of the matter to which the application relates. (8) If the High Court determines that subsection (2) applies to the matter, the Oireachtas Committee shall withdraw its request relating to the matter, but if the High Court determines that subsection (2) does not apply, the chief executive officer shall attend before the Committee to give an account of the matter. (9) In carrying out duties under this section, the chief executive officer shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy. (10) With the permission of the chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee making the request under subsection (1), either— (a) the chairperson of the Board, or (b) an employee of the Executive nominated by the chief executive officer, may attend before the Committee in place of the chief executive officer to give an account of the general administration of the Executive, and in that case a reference in subsections (2) to (9) to the chief executive officer is to be read as a reference to the person attending in his or her place. (11) In this section “Oireachtas Committee” means— (a) a committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas (other than the Committee of Public Accounts, the Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann or the Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann), or (b) a subcommittee of a committee as defined in paragraph (a). PART 5 Employees and Advisers Employees of Executive. 22.—(1) The Executive may, subject to subsections (2) to (5), appoint persons to be its employees and may determine their duties. (2) Employees appointed under this section shall be recruited in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 . (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to employees appointed under this section during the period of 3 months beginning with the establishment day or during such shorter period as the Minister may specify. (4) The Executive shall, with the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determine— (a) the terms and conditions of employment (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration and allowances) of employees appointed under this section, and (b) the grades of the employees of the Executive and the numbers of employees in each grade. (5) A person is not eligible for appointment as an employee of the Executive if the person is— (a) a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament, or (b) regarded pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy. (6) The remuneration and allowances of the Executive's employees are payable by the Executive to them out of funds at its disposal. Superannuation. 23.—(1) The Executive shall prepare and submit to the Minister one or more than one scheme for granting superannuation benefits to or in respect of such employees (including the chief executive officer) of the Executive as it may think fit. (2) Each superannuation scheme must fix the terms of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom superannuation benefits are payable under the scheme, and different terms may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons. (3) A superannuation scheme may be amended or revoked by a subsequent scheme prepared, submitted and approved under this section. (4) A superannuation scheme submitted by the Executive under this section shall, if approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, be carried out by the Executive in accordance with its terms. (5) The Executive may not grant, or enter into any arrangement for the provision of, any superannuation benefit to or in respect of an employee (including the chief executive officer) except in accordance with a scheme approved under this section or except as approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance. (6) Each scheme must include provision for appeals from a decision relating to a superannuation benefit under the scheme. (7) The Minister shall ensure that a superannuation scheme approved under this section is laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after the scheme is approved. (8) Either House of the Oireachtas may, by a resolution passed within 21 sitting days after the day on which the scheme is laid before it, annul the scheme. (9) The annulment of a superannuation scheme under subsection (8) takes effect immediately on the passing of the resolution concerned, but does not affect the validity of anything done under the scheme before the passing of the resolution. Advisers. 24.—(1) The Executive may engage such advisers as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. (2) Any fees due to an adviser engaged under this section are payable by the Executive out of funds at its disposal. PART 6 Standards and Disqualifications Standards of integrity. 25.—(1) In performing functions under this or any other enactment as— (a) a member of the Board or a committee of the Board, (b) the chief executive officer or any other employee of the Executive, (c) a person engaged by the Executive as an adviser, or (d) an employee of a person referred to in paragraph (c), a person shall maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest. (2) Subsection (1) applies to an employee of a person referred to in paragraph (c) of that subsection in respect only of duties of employment relating to the purposes for which the Executive has engaged that person. (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Executive shall issue codes of conduct for the guidance of persons who are— (a) members of a committee of the Board but are not members of the Board, (b) employees of the Executive other than employees to whom a code of conduct under section 10 (3) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 applies, (c) engaged by the Executive as advisers, or (d) employees of persons referred to in paragraph (c). (4) A code of conduct issued under this section for the guidance of persons referred to in subsection (3) must indicate the standards of integrity and conduct to be maintained by them in performing their functions under this or any other enactment. (5) A person to whom such a code of conduct relates is required to have regard to and be guided by the code in performing the person's functions under this or any other enactment. (6) The terms and conditions on which a person is employed by the Executive or by a person referred to in subsection (1)(c) or on which a person is engaged by the Executive as an adviser, as the case may be, are deemed to include any requirements that apply to that person under subsection (5). (7) Subject to subsection (8), the Executive shall as soon as practicable after issuing a code of conduct make the code available to the persons for whose guidance it was issued. (8) A code of conduct for the guidance of employees of a person engaged by the Executive as an adviser shall be issued by the Executive to the employer and be made available by the employer to those employees. (9) A document purporting to be a code of conduct issued under this section is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be taken to be such code and is admissible in any proceedings before a court or other tribunal. (10) Any provision of such code that appears to the court or other tribunal to be relevant to a question in the proceedings may be taken into account by it in determining the question. Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information. 26.—(1) Except in the circumstances specified in subsection (2), a person shall not disclose confidential information obtained while per forming functions as— (a) a member of the Board or a committee of the Board, (b) the chief executive officer or any other employee of the Executive, (c) a person engaged by the Executive as an adviser, or (d) an employee of a person referred to in paragraph (c). (2) A person does not contravene subsection (1) by disclosing confidential information if— (a) the Executive authorises its disclosure, (b) the disclosure is made to the Board, (c) the disclosure is made to the Minister by or on behalf of the Executive or in compliance with a requirement of this Act, or (d) the disclosure is otherwise required by law. (3) In this section “confidential information” means— (a) information that is expressed by the Executive to be confidential either as regards particular information or as regards information of a particular class or description, and (b) proposals of a commercial nature or tenders submitted to the Executive by any person. Disqualification resulting from membership of either House of Oireachtas, European Parliament of local authority. 27.—(1) An appointed member of the Board or a member of a committee of the Board immediately ceases to hold office on— (a) being nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, (b) being elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament, (c) being regarded, pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy, or (d) becoming a member of a local authority. (2) An employee of the Executive (including the chief executive officer) is immediately seconded from employment with the Executive on— (a) being nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, (b) being elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament, or (c) being regarded, pursuant to section 19 of the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 , as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy. (3) No remuneration or allowances are payable by the Executive in respect of the secondment period to a person seconded from employment under subsection (2) and that period is not to be counted as service with the Executive for the purposes of any superannuation benefit. (4) In relation to a person seconded under subsection (2) from employment, the secondment period begins on the occurrence of the relevant event referred to in that subsection and ends when the person ceases to be a member of either House of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament. PART 7 Accountability Interpretation. 28.—(1) In this Part— “approved corporate plan” means a corporate plan approved by the Minister under section 29 ; “approved service plan” means— (a) a service plan approved by the Minister under section 31 , or (b) an amended service plan that is approved or deemed to have been approved by the Minister under section 32 ; “capital plan” means any plan the purpose of which is to acquire a fixed asset or to significantly extend the life of an existing fixed asset; “financial year” means a period of 12 months ending on 31 December in any year. (2) References in section 31 , 33 or 38 to health and personal social services or to a health or personal social service do not include any service provided under the Social Welfare Acts. Executive to prepare and submit corporate plan for Minister's approval. 29.—(1) The Executive shall, in accordance with this section, prepare, adopt and, at the times specified in subsection (2), submit to the Minister for approval a corporate plan for the 3 year period following the date of its submission. (2) A corporate plan must be submitted at the following times: (a) within 6 months after the establishment day; (b) within 6 months after the appointment of a new Minister having charge of the Department of Health and Children, if that Minister requests that a corporate plan be submitted; (c) at the end of the 3 year period since the last corporate plan was submitted. (3) The corporate plan must be prepared in a form and manner in accordance with any directions issued by the Minister and must specify— (a) the key objectives of the Executive for the 3 year period concerned and the strategies for achieving those objectives, (b) the manner in which the Executive proposes to measure its achievement of those objectives, and (c) the uses for which the Executive proposes to apply its resources. (4) In preparing the corporate plan, the Executive shall have regard to the policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government to the extent that those policies may affect or relate to the functions of the Executive. (5) Within 3 months after receiving a corporate plan, the Minister shall— (a) approve the plan, or (b) if the plan is not amended in accordance with any directions that may be issued by the Minister to the Executive, refuse to approve the plan. (6) An approved corporate plan may be amended by the Minister at any time or may be amended by the Executive, but in the latter case only after— (a) the Executive submits the proposed amendment to the Minister for approval, and (b) the amendment is approved by the Minister. (7) Subsections (4) and (5) apply with the necessary modifications in respect of an amendment by the Executive to an approved corporate plan. (8) Nothing in a corporate plan is to be taken to prevent the Executive from, or to limit the Executive in, performing its functions. Publication and implementation of approved corporate plan. 30.—(1) The Minister shall ensure that a copy of an approved corporate plan is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas— (a) within 21 days after the plan is approved by the Minister, and (b) if the plan is amended under section 29 (6) after being approved by the Minister, within 21 days after— (i) in the case of an amendment made by the Minister, the making of the amendment, or (ii) in the case of an amendment made by the Executive, the amendment is approved by the Minister. (2) The Executive shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after copies of an approved corporate plan are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the plan is published on the Internet or in accordance with such other arrangements as the Minister may specify. (3) The Executive shall provide the Minister with progress reports on the implementation of an approved corporate plan— (a) in its annual report, and (b) in such other manner and at such intervals as the Minister may direct. (4) During the specified period, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to a record containing— (a) a corporate plan, or an amendment to such plan, that has not been approved by the Minister, (b) a preliminary or other draft of all or part of the contents of a corporate plan or of an amendment to a corporate plan, or (c) the unamended version of a corporate plan that is approved after being amended in accordance with a direction of the Minister. (5) For the purpose of subsection (4), the specified period is 5 years beginning on the date of the creation of the record. Executive to prepare and submit service plan for Minister's approval. 31.—(1) Within the specified period the Executive shall— (a) prepare, in accordance with this section, a service plan for the financial year or other period as may be determined by the Minister, and (b) adopt the plan so prepared and submit it to the Minister for approval. (2) For the purpose of this section, the specified period is— (a) 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Supply Services for that financial year, or (b) such other period as the Minister may allow. (3) A service plan must be prepared in the form and manner in accordance with any directions issued by the Minister and must— (a) indicate the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the Executive during the period to which the plan relates, (b) indicate any capital plans proposed by the Executive, (c) contain estimates of the number of employees of the Executive for the period and the services to which the plan relates, (d) contain any other information specified by the Minister, (e) comply with any directions issued by the Minister under section 10 , and (f) accord with the policies and objectives of the Minister and the Government. (4) In preparing the service plan, the Executive shall have regard to— (a) the approved corporate plan in operation at that time, and (b) any direction issued by the Minister under section 10 (1). (5) If a service plan is not submitted in accordance with subsection (1), the Minister may, by written direction, require the Executive to submit a service plan to him or her not later than— (a) 10 days after the date on which the Minister issues the direction to the Executive, or (b) such earlier date as may be specified in the direction. (6) If the Executive fails to submit a service plan in accordance with subsection (1) or with a direction under subsection (5), the Minister may, by written direction, require the chief executive officer to prepare and submit a service plan to the Minister within 10 days after the date on which the Minister issues the direction under this subsection. (7) A service plan submitted by the chief executive officer under subsection (6) is deemed to have been adopted and submitted by the Executive. (8) Not later than 21 days after receiving a service plan submitted under this section, the Minister shall either approve the plan or issue a direction under subsection (9) to amend the plan. (9) The Minister may direct the Executive or, in the case of a service plan submitted under subsection (6), the chief executive officer, to amend a service plan submitted under this section if, in the Minister's opinion, the plan— (a) does not contain any information required under subsection (3), (b) does not comply in any other respect with subsection (3), (c) has been prepared without regard to a matter specified in subsection (4), or (d) does not accord with the policies and objectives of the Minister or of the Government to the extent that those policies and objectives relate to the functions of the Executive. (10) The Minister may refuse to approve a service plan unless it is amended in accordance with a direction issued under subsection (9). (11) The chief executive officer shall comply with any direction issued to him or her under this section. (12) The Executive shall submit to the Minister with the service plan a statement of its estimate of the income and expenditure relating to the plan and that estimate must be consistent with the Vote for the Executive as published by the Government in the Estimates for Supply Services. (13) The Minister shall ensure that a copy of an approved service plan is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days after the plan is approved by the Minister. (14) The Executive shall ensure that, as soon as practicable after copies of an approved service plan are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the plan is published on the Internet or in accordance with such other arrangements as the Minister may specify. Amendment of approved service plan. 32.—(1) After approving a service plan, the Minister may direct the Executive to submit an amended service plan and may specify in the direction the manner in which the plan is to be amended. (2) If the Minister directs the Executive to submit an amended service plan in accordance with subsection (1), subsections (4) to (11) of section 31 apply with the necessary modifications to the amended service plan. (3) The Executive may amend an approved service plan. (4) The Executive shall submit a service plan amended under subsection (3) to the Minister as soon as practicable and not later than 5 days after the day on which it adopts the amended service plan. (5) …