The HealthData@IE project is a collaboration between HIQA, the Department of Health, and the Health Research Board (HRB), also involving the HSE and key stakeholders, funded through the EU4Health programme. It aims to support the establishment of Health Data Access Body (HDAB) services in Ireland, as required by the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation. Once established, a HDAB will securely connect data users, such as researchers and policy-makers, with anonymised health datasets to support research and innovation, education and training, policy-making, health service management, and preparation of national statistics.  

HIQA is undertaking a readiness assessment as part of the HealthData@IE project to obtain a baseline view of data holders’ levels of preparedness for the establishment of HDAB services to identify where gaps exist and what steps need to be taken to ensure Irish data holders can meet future obligations under the EHDS Regulation. The readiness assessment comprises a desktop review of available evidence, a survey, focus groups, and interviews.

To conduct the assessment, three use cases have been selected in the areas of influenza, diabetes, and colorectal cancer. The key data sources and the associated data holders for each use case have been identified and selected for inclusion in the various stages of the readiness assessment. For additional information, please see the documents below.