1057. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Oversight Agreement with the Institute of Public Health is subject to periodic review; if so, the frequency of such reviews; and whether any amendments have been made since its inception. [29858/26]

The All Island Institute of Public Health (IPH) is the only non-statutory body that receives funding directly by the Department. This is due to its specific nature as an all island body that was set up prior to the signing of the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement in 1998. The IPH provides support on public health policy to the respective Departments of Health and Chief Medical Officers in both jurisdictions.

The Oversight Agreement in place between the parties was agreed by both Departments of Health and the IPH at the end of September 2025. It was formally signed by all three parties on separate dates between December 2025 and February 2026. The Oversight Agreement served to formalise the processes and procedures around governance that were in place prior to its agreement, and ensured that this was proportionate to an organisation with the size and remit of the IPH.

The Oversight Agreement, which is based on the obligations of the IPH as a Company Limited by Guarantee and what is applicable from the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, is due for review in 2028. No amendments have been made to the Oversight Agreement since its inception.