Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The problems that arose in the case of the difference between a 1.2% cut and a 2% cut were encountered by the disability organisations and service providers in advance of the Haddington Road agreement. That brings me to my next difficulty. I will give an example of what is happening in many organisations around the country. I think I gave notice of my wish to discuss this case. A service provider in my constituency, Sunbeam House Services, which is bound by the Haddington Road agreement was told to make a submission on what its savings would be under the agreement. It made a submission stating its savings would be approximately €77,000. I fully accept that it would be irresponsible of me, as a member of the Committee of Public Accounts, and irresponsible of the chief financial officer not to challenge all figures. The HSE actually reduced the budget of the service provider in question by €189,461, rather than €77,000. The difference between the two figures - a mammoth €112,000 - had a massive impact on services, including the suspension of transport services. Owing to the Rosetta system, reductions were not possible in some areas because these categories were not eligible. To its credit, the HSE came back and returned some of the money, but why was it taken in the first place? I expect organisations that know they are covered under the Haddington Road agreement to make the savings and they expect to make them. The vast difference between €77,000 and €180,000 placed many vulnerable persons in a really difficult position.