Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The next item is No. R2078 from Ms Eilish Hardiman, chief executive of Children's Health Ireland, CHI, dated 20 July in reply to information requested by the committee regarding non-compliant procurement. I propose that we note and publish this item of correspondence. Members will recall that we dealt with medical matters and financial statements earlier in the meeting. I do not see a great explanation for a couple of them. Under technical services and projects, there is €28,485 for painting services. It says that the tender process was completed and a framework put in place for painting. Why, at that point, were painting services not tendered out as general building works? Under general buildings works, there is €60,000 and more than €100,000 for plumbing services. Under professional services, non-clinical, there are figures of €44,000 and €30,000. I do not see why such matters would not be tendered out by CHI. There is €31,000 relating to ICT expenditure which is critical to support the existing ICT structure. There is another item relating to agency staff. The cost against clothing and cleaning is almost €30,000. I do not see why such non-medical items cannot be tendered out. I propose that we should write back and express the committee's concern and request that it implements corrective actions quickly in regard to non-medical issues and services that are technical in nature, not medical. That is agreed.