To ask the Minister of Health whether the establishment of the Independent Reconfiguration Committee will result in any changes to the responsibilities, staffing, or functions of the Strategic Planning and Performance Group in relation to service planning, service reconfiguration, stakeholder engagement, public consultation, and scrutiny of the evidence supporting service-change proposals.

The Independent Reconfiguration Committee was announced in response to findings from the “Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes” public consultation which highlighted a need to rebuild public confidence in the way major service decisions are made and communicated.

The Independent Reconfiguration Committee will not replace or negate the need for due process in relation to service changes in line with the Department’s Guidance of the Change and Withdrawal of Services. It is not a new layer of bureaucracy through which every service change must pass. It does not duplicate, overlap or impose any change on the existing functions of any of our HSC bodies, nor is it intended to address any perceived deficiency in the current arrangements. Instead, it will provide additional assurance and support public confidence in decision making.

The IRC will be a small, independent and responsive source of expert advice which I can call upon, but only where I consider that a major or controversial proposal for permanent service change requires additional scrutiny.

The Committee will advise me, but ultimately it will be my responsibility to make any necessary decision.