Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the proposal that the committee write to the HSE. The correspondent makes what I would consider to be very serious allegations that we, as a committee, must take seriously. The person states that it was known to the Department of Health that some section 38 and 39 organisations were insolvent. In the first instance, it is important that we get whatever evidence for that is available or learn on what basis that statement can be made.

The correspondent went on to say that of greater concern was that some of these organisations were reported, in writing, to be “technically trading recklessly”. If those reports are available then they should be shared with this committee. We can only take things from there on that basis. I agree with Deputy Murphy's proposal that we write to the HSE because the HSE has the ultimate obligation to ensure that when it spends public money that it is done in a way that allows for full accountability, and ensures that the money is not going to an organisation that is insolvent or "trading recklessly". We can deal with the further information when it comes in and perhaps if we get a response from the HSE but there is not much else we can do at this point.