Former CHI chief starts new HSE regional job on same salary of €184,000

James Cox

A former chief executive of Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is leaving the paediatric healthcare group for a regional role in the Health Service Executive, the Minister for Health has confirmed.

Eilísh Hardiman served two terms as chief executive of CHI from 2013 until April 2024, and intended to pursue a third term in charge of the organisation.

However, former health minister Stephen Donnelly prevented her third term, citing government policy that chief executives of non-commercial State organisations cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.

Following a mediation process, Ms Hardiman started her new role on her previous salary of almost €184,000.

Opposition politicians criticised the appointment, citing controversies at CHI surrounding spinal care for children with scoliosis and spina bifida.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said Ms Hardiman was appointed to the strategic leadership role to “reflect her knowledge” and due to her “leadership experience in paediatric healthcare” in a letter addressed to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy.

“As CHI moves into the operational phase of transition, responsibility for implementing these plans and managing the transition of hospitals to the new facility [the National Children’s Hospital] will now be led by the new CEO and the strengthened executive management team,” Ms Carroll MacNeill said.

“My department has been made aware that Ms Eilísh Hardiman is moving to a regional role within the HSE, where her experience and expertise can continue to support service integration and delivery.”

Ms Hardiman will be working in the Dublin and midlands regional health area and will remain on the same salary, The Irish Times reports.

The Minister’s letter was sent in response to parliamentary questions submitted by Social Democrats’ health spokesman Pádraig Rice.