3969. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide copies of the documents issued to members of the Mid West Health Planning Board which sets out its remit, powers, responsibilities, reporting arrangements and scope of work. [63789/26]

The Government has prioritised investment and development of the Mid West, consistent with commitments in the Programme for Government and informed by the recommendations of the independent Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) review of urgent and emergency care services in the region.

Following consideration of HIQA's recommendations, Government agreed a programme of measures focused on expanding capacity, strengthening regional services and developing a sustainable model of care for the future.

Central to building on those HIQA recommendations is the establishment of the Mid West Health Planning Board in July 2026. The Board will provide strategic direction and oversight in developing a comprehensive Mid West Service and Infrastructure Plan that will ensure a sustainable, integrated, region wide model of care.

The Board will examine how services can be organised across acute hospitals, community healthcare, primary care and pre-hospital services to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Importantly, it will consider how services can be delivered closer to home where appropriate, reduce pressure on UHL, and ensure that existing and future healthcare facilities, such as the Raheen site, work together as part of an integrated regional network.

The Board will begin its work in September and finalise the delivery of the Service and Infrastructure Plan for the Mid West within nine months.

The Board’s first meeting is scheduled for mid-September. Accordingly, it would be not be appropriate to release documents provided to Board members before the Board has had an opportunity to formally consider and approve them. Once approved by the Board the Terms of Reference will be published.