The Irish healthcare system is set for another significant structural change after the Minister for Health confirmed the next legislative step for children’s services. In a move announced on gov.ie, the Government has approved publication of the General Scheme of the Children’s Health Ireland Bill 2026, paving the way for Children’s Health Ireland to be integrated into the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The announcement from the Department of Health signals a major reform in how national paediatric services will be governed, managed and aligned with wider public health delivery. If enacted, the legislation will transfer CHI’s services, staff and buildings into the HSE, including the new National Children’s Hospital Ireland.
gov.ie confirms CHI integration into the Health Service Executive (HSE)
According to the update published on gov.ie, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the Department will now work with the Office of the Attorney General to draft the primary legislation needed to complete the transition. The proposal has been framed as a step designed to strengthen oversight, improve operational efficiency and bring greater coherence to paediatric care across Ireland.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) will ultimately assume responsibility for the services currently delivered by Children’s Health Ireland. The Department of Health said this work will be carried out in coordination with both CHI and the HSE to support a smooth handover into the HSE’s established governance structures.
What the bill would do
- Transfer CHI services into the Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Move CHI staff, facilities and assets under HSE control
- Include the new National Children’s Hospital Ireland in the integration plan
- Support a unified national approach to paediatric health services
The Minister also stressed that the reform is not expected to affect day-to-day patient care, the commissioning process for the new hospital or any reviews already under way.
Read more: latest Ireland government news and public service updates | breaking Irish health policy and HSE reform coverage
Why the CHI and HSE reform matters
This legislation matters because Children’s Health Ireland has played a central role in consolidating children’s hospital services since it was established as a statutory body in 2019 under the Children’s Health Act 2018. That reform brought together Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and the paediatric service at Tallaght University Hospital.
CHI also oversees key urgent and outpatient care services, including the centre at Connolly Hospital and the outpatient and emergency care unit on the Tallaght Hospital campus. By bringing those functions into the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Government appears to be aiming for tighter alignment between national hospital planning, Health administration and service delivery.
The move also sits within a wider public administration landscape where bodies such as the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the National Transport Authority (NTA), Tusla, HIQA and the Department of the Taoiseach operate within defined governance frameworks. In that context, integrating CHI into the HSE reflects a broader emphasis across Irish public services on accountability, operational clarity and system-wide coordination.
Key reassurance for families
For patients and parents, the most important message is that services should continue as normal during the legislative process. The Department has explicitly stated that the proposed reform will not interrupt care delivery or delay work linked to the new children’s hospital.
Explore more: in-depth Ireland public policy analysis and institutional reform stories | top Irish breaking news on Health, Government and national infrastructure
What happens next
The next phase is legislative drafting with the Office of the Attorney General, after which the Bill is expected to begin its passage through the Oireachtas as early as possible. While the timeline will depend on the parliamentary process, the direction of travel is now clear on gov.ie: Children’s Health Ireland is being prepared for integration into the Health Service Executive (HSE).
For Ireland’s health system, the proposed Children’s Health Ireland Bill 2026 could become a defining governance change alongside the completion of the National Children’s Hospital Ireland. The key takeaway is simple: gov.ie has confirmed a reform aimed at creating a more joined-up structure for children’s care, while keeping services stable for families during the transition.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
