Results 2,601-2,620 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: Was this the press statement?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I accept that. It does not alter the key point. The key cost here is a flight from Filton, England to Dublin. The former chair, Dr. O'Donoghue, speaks only specifically about the flight from Waterford to Dublin. In summary, will both the HEA and the Department speak to the personnel to get clarity on this and advise the committee accordingly?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: The presidents of various universities were before the committee last week. I want to check the HEA's view on their point that they are losing out to universities across the world in terms of being able retain and hire staff based on the pay structures, not necessarily the cap of €200,000 but the limits of pay within certain levels of academics, for example, a level below professor,...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: In regard to WIT, the invoice for €4,200 is very skimpy on details but the previous invoice dated 31 March sets out the number of hours for the flight, the landing, the aircraft and the VAT charged. Further clarity is needed on the invoice for €4,200 in terms of the date it was issued, to whom it was issued, details of the flight, when it was paid, how it was approved and the...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: Absolutely none.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: We have a job of work to do and I am not casting aspersions on anyone.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: However, there is an issue of how public funding was authorised and if we did not do this, we would not be doing our job.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (Resumed)
Higher Education Authority - Annual Financial Statements 2011: Discussion (4 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I apologise for interrupting the Comptroller and Auditor General. I believe it had issues with staff at the level below professor, including dean and senior lecturer.

Assaults on Emergency Workers Bill 2012: Second Stage (5 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I commend Deputy Calleary on bringing forward the issue of emergency workers, the fantastic work they do and their ability to do it in a safe environment. The Bill put forward is premature because work on two reports is currently ongoing. The Law Reform Commission's final report on mandatory sentencing is due to issue while, second, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: How much was it at the end of August?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is it an accrual?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I hope that the relationship we have built up over a short period will result in a good working relationship. What happened at the start of the meeting is unfortunate. The witnesses need to realise the role of the Committee of Public Accounts is to consider public expenditure. It is never personal and this should be borne in mind as we work. I wish to refer to one local issue and then a...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: Without being glib, I contend the HSE is well aware of this matter. It will take only a minute and I expect we will get an affirmative response.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome that. The inspection should take place immediately. I understand Limerick regional hospital is now ready for the inspection. It should not take three weeks. I have no doubt that, if that inspection takes place, the 24-hour cardiac service will be made available in Limerick. It is not good enough that patients were not aware of the matter. This problem has featured since 1...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I do not want to dwell on this point. With due respect, I contend the head cardiologist in Limerick stated in public on the radio that the decision would have an impact on patient care. I do not wish to have a response from Mr. O'Brien but I ask him to have the inspection carried out immediately. I want to move on to the general items. Without straying into policy, I will keep to the...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I had a quick look at the three sections - care groups, hospitals and primary care reimbursement schemes. They seem to make up the bulk of the over-run. What is the composition of the care groups and the primary care reimbursement schemes? I know about the hospitals.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: Do those figures factor in medical cards?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: What about unclaimed fees?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am only interested in the figure.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is in respect of unsigned claim forms. The HSE is making €58 million in front line cuts while €74 million is outstanding because consultants have not signed forms to claim money from insurance companies. Given the fact that the HSE is making cuts of €8 million to home help services, how can the HSE stand over this situation or allow it to continue? It makes no sense.