Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sorry to cut across Dr. Lynch but I am conscious of my time. The Comptroller and Auditor General's report, at paragraph 11.52, notes that when an invoice fails a reasonableness test the original invoice is withdrawn and a revised invoice is submitted by the guardian ad litem. How are the reasonableness tests conducted and how were the invoiced hours verified? At paragraph 11.74, the Comptroller and Auditor General notes that reductions were negotiated in 81% of invoices tested. This suggests overcharging of the State by guardians ad litemis a common occurrence. Does the Department believe the studied sample is representative?