Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said voluntary hospitals must put in place new technology systems and follow rules set by the Government on pay and spending. The voluntary hospitals and the HSE have clashed in recent months over plans by the health authority to introduce a new €200 million national financial information system. The Irish Times reported in November that voluntary hospitals were concerned about the impact the introduction of the HSE financial management system could have on their independence. It is understood she said the annual service agreements contained the “contractual” provisions that determined the relationship between the HSE and the voluntary hospitals. It is understood the Minister also said the implementation of such national systems was required under the service agreements between voluntary hospitals and the HSE.

Source: The Irish Times January 02, 2026 12:00 UTC