David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Before we move on from correspondence, I would like to raise again today the issue of the section 38 and 39 organisations. I am a little uncomfortable that we have had only one hearing on the Console issue. An internal audit carried out by the HSE raised very serious process issues. Since then we have come across a number of other organisations where similar problems have arisen. There appears to be a problem in terms of accountability and the relationship between the HSE and these organisations. Is there merit in the Comptroller and Auditor General doing a special report on section 38 and 39 organisations' processes? It would appear that this is not an isolated issue. There are issues that arose at the Committee of Public Accounts prior to this incarnation, which were in the public domain.

We have had one engagement with the HSE and that was it. I accept that Project Eagle came to the fore at that point but we must put some thought into what is the best way to progress the issue because a significant amount of taxpayers' money is being spent and given to those organisations. Most deal with their funds appropriately and no issues arise but there are failures in the process. I again flag the issue as I am concerned that we have not decided one way or the other how we should proceed.