Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group

In July 2021, the Minister for Health and Government agreed to establish a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group. In January 2022, the government approved the Group’s membership and mandate, and the Group commenced its work.

The Group was requested to examine the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.

The Group’s work was informed by presentations on policy, reform and operational activity, a consultation and engagement process with organisations and individuals working in public health in Ireland, key stakeholder meetings, a consultation with vulnerable groups and significant inputs from both the WHO and HIQA.

The report of the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group went to Government on 6 September 2023 and following a government decision, the report was published.

As part of its work, the Group benefitted from a number of significant inputs including a WHO Report on the delivery of essential public health functions in Ireland; work by HIQA including a descriptive analysis of COVID-19 epidemiological indicators and associated contextual factors in European countries; a high-level review of the configuration and reform of public health systems in selected countries and a consultation and engagement process with organisations and individuals working in public health in Ireland. The Group also commissioned insights and research into vulnerable populations, using one‑to‑one interviews with people in vulnerable groups and those working directly with vulnerable people.

For further background reading:

• WHO Report: Essential Public Health Functions in Ireland
• HIQA Report: Descriptive analysis of COVID-19 epidemiological indicators and associated contextual factors in European countries
• HIQA Report: High-level review of configuration and reform of public health systems in selected countries
• Analysis of public consultation surveys to inform the work of the Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group