Increased staff costs led to first quarter deficit for HIQA

HIQA recorded a deficit for the first three months of the year, a meeting of the Authority’s board heard.

The deficit was primarily due to increased staffing costs arising from new functions, stated minutes of the meeting in May.

“Additional funding is being sought in relation to the new functions being taken on and the priorities agreed in the 2024 business plan,” according to the minutes.

At the time, a revised workforce plan for 2024 was being finalised for submission to the Department of Health. This plan took account of the agreed new service priorities and implementation of key organisational design recommendations, including those relating to governance.

It was also noted at the meeting that the additional duties would increase the workload of its committees.

Potential options were discussed regarding managing the growing workload of the regulation committee and the standards, information, research, and technology committee, including increasing the number of meetings.

It was agreed that six meetings per year was adequate for the resource oversight committee and the audit risk and governance committee.

“No conclusions were drawn at the meeting, but the executive has been asked to examine and follow up on certain issues,” according to the minutes.

The meeting also heard that “internal preparations” were underway for taking on new responsibilities under the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination, and Public Display) Act.

The Act introduces specific new powers for HIQA to inspect hospital-based mortuary services.

HIQA’s remit has also expanded as a result of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act.

“The Department of Health had been considering the additional funding required by HIQA in recognition of staffing required to take on its new functions,” a spokesperson for the Authority told the Medical Independent (MI).

The spokesperson confirmed the Department confirmed in August that HIQA’s allocation for the year would be increased by €3 million.

“HIQA is satisfied this will address our 2024 requirements for existing and new services,” the spokesperson told MI.