HSE boss Paul Reid said he will be stepping down as the chief executive officer "with a heavy heart".
Mr Reid said he will be giving up the role of CEO of the Health Service Executive in December to spend time with his family. He said he had no immediate career plans.
Mr Reid said: "It's with a heavy heart that I've advised the Chairman of the HSE 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 and local government and health sectors, I now want to spend some time with my family."
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He added: "It has been truly rewarding leading an organisation whose staff come to work every day to make people's lives better. No organisation will ever match the commitment, dedication, and relentless willingness to go beyond the call of duty that I have witnessed as we battled multiple waves of Covid, a criminal cyber-attack while driving a significant reform agenda. This has been truly inspirational for me to experience."
Paying tribute to Mr Reid the Chairman of the HSE, Ciaran Devane, said: “It is with very great regret that I and the Board have heard of Paul’s decision. He has led the health service through what has been the greatest challenge it has ever faced, and done so with relentless dedication and professionalism. We are very grateful that he will stay in his role for a further period to allow us progress the extremely difficult task of replacing him.”
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