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

I thank my colleagues for their questions. I will address each specifically. I accept that Deputy Penrose received no acknowledgement. It was a disgrace as far as I am concerned and I will follow up on the issue. Regarding Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's points on good faith, the great service of the staff and accountability, I have also raised these issues and will discuss them again later. Deputy Clare Daly mentioned the idea of shutting down on a loyal workforce. I am familiar with the staff of the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC. I have made my views known to the board's chairperson many times. Even though this matter is not necessarily in my remit, I have met some of the staff and heard their case. Many of their views have been expressed in the Chamber.

Other issues exist. For example, this raises serious questions of financial and corporate governance. I have concerns in that regard. The majority of the staff are unaffected but I am concerned about the 47 individuals on whom this situation will impact.

I will be answering a question on an issue that I have been addressing in recent weeks, namely, the level of monitoring of this matter. Before yesterday, there was no contact with the HSE since the actuaries began their review. I am demanding answers of the HSE and the CRC as to why there was no communication from either side during this period and what level of monitoring was conducted. Both knew that the problem existed.

The CRC does not have unilateral authority to move employees onto the single public service pension scheme. This matter must be discussed with the HSE. The pension scheme had a serious and escalating gap and it is incredible that such a point was reached with so little information being passed to the HSE or the Minister. I want to see a speedy solution. I am asking the CRC to proceed with its talks with the HSE on this matter and am demanding a full report on the outcome of whatever meetings are held so that we can determine how to proceed in the best interests of the taxpayers and the 47 people affected.

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