Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle as a phost nua.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute briefly on this motion put forward by the Social Democrats. It is timely and very important in light of the recent revelations at Console. The revelations about alleged serious misappropriation of moneys at Console come about following an internal audit by the HSE, which is now being finalised and sent to the management of the executive for further action. The scandal follows past investigations by the Controller and Auditor General, the Committee of Public Accounts and other bodies into outrageous salaries and pensions for executives and apparent governance failures at Rehab and the Central Remedial Clinic.

I am a long-standing director of a number of local development bodies. I know at first hand the great responsibility that comes with the administration and governance structure of charities. Appropriate governance structures are imperative in the running of any business and must be in place, especially where public moneys are being received, be it through grants, funding or public fundraising efforts.

The reports on Console profoundly upset our constituents because the public has placed its trust in the management and boards of charitable organisations. The public are, of course, always aware of and deeply appreciative of the work being done by front-line staff, and they admire that work. They appreciate that organisations are providing vital services. As many Deputies have said, these services in many cases should be provided directly by the State.

I know at first hand about the phenomenal work of front-line caring and nursing staff in the Saint John of God organisation. Due to austerity and the harsh cutbacks since 2009, in which the Tánaiste’s Government was profoundly involved, those valiant staff have had to try to provide a quality service to more and more clients without a comparative increase in staffing levels.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, has clearly indicated that nobody in a section 38 public service body funded by the HSE is exempt from FEMPI legislation. It is, therefore, astonishing to learn that the salary of the Saint John of God CEO is €182,000 per annum and that another manager earned €125,000 per annum. Even more concerning is the revelation that €1.64 million was added in recent years to executive pay and pensions in this section 38 organisation. These awards seem grossly at variance with public pay policy in the health sector. Families of Saint John of God clients will wish that any additional money available is spent on service provision. We have recently seen the parents associated with St. Raphael's in Celbridge, for example, complaining bitterly about the withdrawal of key services, such as the bus service which has been part and parcel of the provision for children and adults with a disability. The money should have been spent on the services, including on the recruitment of expert front-line staff. What about top-ups or salary increases for the very modestly paid caring and nursing staff who carry out the great work of the organisation in caring for adults and children with disabilities?

I welcome at long last the commencement of Part 4 of the Charities Act 2009. I echo my colleague in asking why we have had to wait until now for this.

Why are some vital services in the disability and other sectors being provided by voluntary organisations? Historically, the services of hospitals, schools and other crucial infrastructure were provided by religious bodies and dynamic people in civil society, but this motion highlights a need for a national discussion on whether all vital health, educational and other social services should be provided by the State.

Once again, I warmly commend our Social Democrats colleagues on bringing forward this important motion. I commend the motion and the amendment in the name of our AAA–PPP colleagues. I strongly support the Social Democrats’ proposal for an anti-corruption agency.

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