James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Obviously, this is a very disturbing development for people, especially people who have given so generously during these straitened times. They will be particularly disturbed to think that money they have given for a specific charitable purpose to look after those with disabilities could be used for other purposes.

I must remind Deputy Finian McGrath that these practices developed during previous Fianna Fáil-led Government regimes which he was happy to support.

I have instructed the HSE to write to the section 39 agencies also to ensure that those who are in receipt of large amounts of taxpayers' money be made compliant with public pay policy. I am sure my Government Cabinet colleagues will be examining the issue from their own perspective and that of their Departments. I would remind people that the HSE has engaged in a very careful process, one that will yield the result that we all want, which is total transparency, because transparency brings accountability and when one has accountability one can get fairness. That has been a core value of what we have been at in the Department of Health in terms of all our reforms.

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. I appeal to people not to in any way lose faith with the long-held tradition of giving of themselves for the benefit of others who find themselves in more difficult situations.

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