Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Farrelly covered many of the issues I had intended to raise. Given his experience and having listened to him, I have no doubt that the system will be efficient and effective. It may not be within his remit to discuss an issue that has come to my attention. I refer to charities which are competing with the private sector for State tenders. Do charities receive preferential treatment in this regard? If, for example, a private sector company and a charity bid to provide a service for the HSE, there does not appear to be a level playing field as the charitable sector appears to be given preferential treatment. The evidence is anecdotal and may not necessarily be based on fact. There is a view that when something is charitable, everybody is working almost for nothing, that one does not have a level playing field and that one may not, therefore, have the best service. Has Mr. Farrelly seen any evidence of this? Will the authority examine the issue?