Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Public Accounts Committee

2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive

5:15 pm

Dr. Geraldine Smith:

Yes. That is the HR aspect of the matter. The purpose of the audit was to ascertain the environment. We were trying to develop a picture. What is clear from the audit report is that there was much speculation over the years about whether allowances were being paid privately, etc. The purpose of the audit was to take a snapshot, particularly of the private element, which had not been done previously. This is what is before us today in respect of the audit report. My colleagues in HR are working with it to try to address the issues.