Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise the important issue of top-up payments made to senior executives of the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf in my Dublin constituency. I commend my colleague, Deputy Shane Ross, for highlighting issues of accounting and governance at the clinic at a recent meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. When I first heard about these top-up payments, I was appalled and gutted. I speak as someone who has actively supported the Central Remedial Clinic for many years, both financially and politically in this House. I also felt let down and angry on behalf of the 4,000 families who used the clinic's services.

As part of the austerity measures, funding for the Central Remedial Clinic has been cut in recent years. We have now discovered that between €12 million and €14 million had been stashed away in an account. This is not an example of good practice.

Does the Minister agree that parents, service users and members of the public deserve clear answers on the top-up payments made to senior personnel in the Central Remedial Clinic? Who authorised these payments? Were the 4,000 families using the services of the clinic aware of them? Did the relevant authorities breach Government pay policy? What was the role of the Health Service Executive in the matter? Why does the Government lack the appetite to police voluntary organisations? Why has the Charities Act of 2009 not been implemented? While a charities regulator is to be established, it will not be effective until 2014.

Was there a cover-up in relation to the HSE and the CRC?

There is also a serious credibility issue here. The political advisers of both the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, got €35,000 over the pay cap with the special pay scale of €127,000.

I raise these issues because they are important. Parents and service users in the CRC are demanding answers and they want credible answers.

See this speech in context