Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the summary information on where we stand today in terms of the background to the report, the internal audit report and the circulars, reminder circulars and deadlines issued by his Department. That is all fine, but the question now is: what action will the Minister take on foot of the information now in the public arena? This is the last day for section 38 organisations to submit the information requested. If it is helpful, this House will support the Minister if he chooses to call in the chairperson of each of the boards of the organisations which are not in full compliance or which have not confirmed that they are in complaince. Officials in the Minister's office should telephone the chairpersons tomorrow morning to arrange to meet them straightaway in order that he can lay it on the line to them that they must implement Government pay policy. These organisations receive substantial funding from the Exchequer.

The people also want to know when these payments will stop. That is the issue. We know the payments were made and that matter has been examined, but when will they stop? That is what the people want to know, particularly in the context of the various cuts made to health services, with children waiting for cochlear implants, tracheotomies and so forth. I spoke to two mothers last week whose children had been in Crumlin Hospital for over 12 months because budgeting issues within the HSE meant home care packages had not been put in place for them. While this is happening, certain individuals are able to receive these extra payments. The Minister is also aware that many persons undertake voluntary fund-raising for these organisations and that people are happy to give generously when they know that all of the money is being spent on patient care. They will be disturbed to see that some money from private sources is going to already well paid executives. It is important, in the interests of public trust in voluntary fund raising, that the Minister give a commitment that as of the close of business today, payment of all of these allowances will stop. He would be doing a good service for the House and the institutions in question if he were to give us that assurance.

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