Ms Laverne McGuinness:

The Chairman raised a number of points. On section 38 and section 39 agencies, they are listed, along with the funding they receive, in our financial statements every year. The amount they are paid is published in a schedule of financial statements in the annual report. On the audit committee, an internal audit was carried out on section 38 agencies and the CRC. Such audits were carried out on a rotating basis on various agencies through 2010 and 2011.

The Chairman correctly points out that the HSE was set up in 2005 but these agencies were funded through a different mechanism prior to that. This arrangement was consolidated for the first time towards the end of 2009 when there was a new service level arrangement. It took almost two years to conclude discussions with the people involved. This was a first measure to achieve transparency and accountability in each organisation on what the funds handed over were used for and the service provided.