1095. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide a schedule of meetings of the Steering Group for the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services; and to provide a schedule of meetings between his Department and representatives of the steering group. [44283/24]

The National Review of Cardiac Services (NRCS) commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a steering group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives. The steering group undertook the formulation of the principles of the NRCS and the terms of reference.

The NRCS steering group met on 16 occasions from 31st January 2018 to October 2022. Between steering group meetings of 31-Jan-20 and October 2022 the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on the progress of the NRCS and deferral of steering group meetings as the Chair of the NRCS played a key role in the national COVID-19 response. Department officials met with the steering group members in preparation for the meetings and follow up from those meetings.