The document outlines the key requirements and objectives of the financial regulations for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The regulations are intended to establish a high-level framework for the internal financial control system and ensure compliance with statutory requirements, value for money, and best practices. All budget holders, managers and staff are responsible for understanding and following the regulations, and non-compliance can result in disciplinary action. The regulations aim to support the HSE's objectives, ensure budgets are not exceeded, promote accountability and efficient use of resources, safeguard assets, and reduce the risk of fraud or error.

1. General Provisions regarding Financial Regulations
The key requirements of the financial regulations are contained within the main
chapters. However, this should be read in conjunction with the ‘additional
information’ which sets out in the more detailed elements of the regulations that
are contained within the respective appendices (by chapter).
1.Purpose and Objectives of Financial Regulations
1.1. Introduction
1.1.1. The Financial Regulations are intended to outline the high level framework
within which the internal financial control system of the Health Service
Executive (HSE) will operate.
1.1.2. These regulations are not intended as a detailed procedural guide for
financial processes or activity within the HSE as the organization is too
diverse to allow that to be achieved in a practical and accessible
document.
1.1.3.This document may be of assistance in providing training to managers and
staff as to what their obligations are around compliance with the Financial
Regulations, however, it has not been produced as a training document,
again for reasons of practicality.
1.1.4. These regulations have been prepared with the intention of ensuring that
the financial controls in operation within the HSE are consistent with:
Irish and EU statutory requirements
Achievement of Best Value for Money
Department of Health and Children and Government policies and guidelines
Presently available best practice appropriately interpreted for the Irish
Public Health Service context.
1.2.Compliance with Financial Regulations
1.2.1. No set of Financial Regulations will be effective unless they are specific,
understood and monitored for compliance.
1.2.2. It is the responsibility of all Budget Holders, managers and staff to
ensure that the day-to-day operations and procedures of the
organization comply with the Financial Regulations.

2. 1.2.3. Budget Holders must ensure that a record is maintained of the training
undertaken by each employee with regard to Financial Regulations.
Certification of users of the Financial Regulations where applicable, together
with other relevant training records (e.g. Financial Information
System/Accounting training) should be maintained as a record of user
knowledge, available skill sets, training history etc.
1.2.4. All Budget Holders and other managers and staff have a direct
responsibility to be pro-active in ensuring that they are aware of, understand
and comply with these Financial Regulations.
1.2.5. Persistent and negligent failure to comply with the Financial Regulations is a
very serious matter for any HSE employee and may lead to disciplinary
proceedings.
1.3. Objectives
1.3.1. The Financial Regulations and the system of internal financial controls that
they underpin are intended to:
i. Support the achievement of the corporate objectives of the HSE
ii. Ensure the HSE operates within the limits of its notified Budget
iii. Facilitate open and transparent accountability for the financial
resources entrusted to the HSE
iv. Support the efficient and effective use of resources assigned to HSE
v. Ensure the safeguarding of the assets of the HSE
vi. Reduce the likelihood of fraud, theft or error in relation to financial
matters and increase the likelihood of its detection
1.4. Context
1.4.1. These Financial Regulations and compliance with them must be viewed in the
context of the role of the HSE which is to improve the health and social
wellbeing of the population it serves.
1.4.2. Proper financial controls will assist the Health Service Executive in meeting
this primary objective.
1.5. Financial Regulations identify Minimum Controls
1.5.1. These Financial Regulations set out what are, in effect, minimum standards of
financial controls that are acceptable across this very large and diverse
organization.

3. 1.5.2. It is the responsibility of every Budget Holder and his/her staff to put in place
and document the detailed arrangements applicable to their own areas of
responsibility.
1.5.3. Budget Holders may decide to apply a higher level of control than the
minimum set out in the regulations in order to achieve the objectives of the
Financial Regulations. For example, expenditure control could be amended
for local use so that the value that each grade has approval authority for could
be lower than that allowed by these regulations.