Joint Committee on Health to meet for engagement on the implementation of the Sláintecare reforms and separately on the draft WHO Treaty to strengthen pandemic preparedness

In Session 1 from 9:30am the Committee will hear from representatives from the Department of Health and Health Service Executive on Sláintecare Reforms and in the second session from 12pm approx. they will hear from the Department of Health.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Seán Crowe said “the Committee looks forward to welcoming the Department and HSE to engage with both on what progress has been made on the implementation of Sláintecare reforms and what measures are to be implemented next. Sláintecare continues to be an important step towards enabling us to introduce reforms that will enhance our health system and wider health care service.

“The Committee will then discuss the WHO Treaty to strengthen pandemic preparedness with officials from the Department of Health. In late 2021, the WHO’s member states agreed to develop a global accord to prevent and respond to future pandemics. The effort by members of the World Health Organization to agree on ways to prevent and respond to future pandemics is ongoing and meets periodically. We look forward to getting more detail from the Department on Ireland’s capability to deal with any future pandemics.”

The meeting in Committee Room 2 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.