John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As this relates to 37,000 staff and the allowances that might be paid to them, there is a need for the entire sector covered by sections 38 and 39 to get its house in order, just as much as there is for the HSE, in the context of the accounts systems, and for the reports to be in order. Even if they are coming from different systems, one should not need to wait for so long before the type of reports for which the HSE has asked them became available. It should be made clear to each and every such body that this would be the committee's expectation. It also would assist the HSE, were such bodies to know the executive is expected to account for the expenditure in that area and hence its different relationship with them. I note this issue is a cause of concern for some Members of the Oireachtas because today, the committee received a letter from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames on recent reports of the level of pay in the voluntary sector, particularly in one area, which members must revisit and on which they will be seeking information from the HSE. Perhaps the witnesses might take note that they might provide the committee with their views in this regard. I do not expect them to give them now but they might provide us with their views or details on the actions taken regarding the pay levels that have been reported, as well as the allowances, expenses or however one might wish to term them, that might be accompanying the aforementioned pay levels.