HSE Chief Paul Reid is step down from his role later this year.
The health service chief executive said he was leaving the role “with a heavy heart”, adding that he wants to spend more time with his family.
“It's with a heavy heart that I've advised the HSE Chairman and the Minister for Health that I will step down as CEO later this year,” he said.
“Having led teams in the private, not for profit, central & local government and health sectors, I now want to spend some time with my family.”
It's with a heavy heart that I've advised the Chairman of @HSELive and the Minister for Health that I will step down as CEO later this year. Having led teams in the private,not for profit,central & local government and health sectors,I now want to spend some time with my family.
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) June 27, 2022
In a message to HSE staff he said it was the hardest decision he has ever made in his career.
He will stay on in the role until December, to allow for time to find his successor.
I'd like to thank @paulreiddublin for his work at the HSE over the past numbers of years, in particular his extraordinary leadership shown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 27, 2022
In a statement, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin thanked Mr Reid for his “extraordinary leadership shown during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“The HSE, through Paul, and its employees, led from the front on behalf of the country during a once-in-a-century pandemic and demonstrated the value and importance of a national delivery agency in public health,” he said.
“Through acute hospital services, community services, test and tracing, and a world-leading vaccination programme, the HSE played a crucial role in Ireland’s battle against COVID.
“I know from personal experience in my dealings with Paul throughout the pandemic, that he was available seven-days-a-week, almost 24/7.”
