Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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I understand that and in the normal course of events they would be part of the health service. If that money is sitting in a bank account, the HSE must draw it down as revenue in a particular way. Is it costing the HSE money to draw down those funds? Why not re-profile? We might ask that question of the HSE as well. If there is a history of one section 38 organisation having to constantly seek these type of funds then there is a need to do something more permanent. Why would this be repeated each year and where would the HSE get the money? If the HSE has these funds, why would it not reprofile them?

I also have concerns because of the terms governing charities. One of the conditions is that such an organisation is not permitted to make a loss and the Charities Regulator would look closely at that. Similar to underproviding for the ratio regarding provision for nurses, which may put their professional qualifications at risk, what the HSE is doing may well put some of these organisations at risk as well. If the HSE is doing that and still relying on the services provided by these organisations then there is a double issue regarding how precarious they are.