Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept the amendment because it is the intention that not only those who are due repayment will be able to donate money to the fund but that others will also be able to do so. Any money donated to this fund will not be subject to capital acquisitions tax liability. Reports on the operation of the fund will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The amendment as proposed would lead to practical difficulties if any money remained in the fund after a period of three years. This fund can accept moneys other than those donated through the repayment scheme and it would not be practical, therefore, to discontinue the fund if money remained in the fund at the end of the three years.

It is envisaged that the fund will be administered by the Health Service Executive, which will include managing and assigning the moneys and accounting for and reporting on the fund. If it is not practicable to assign funds to a specific unit, funding should be ring-fenced for the same service in the same area. The HSE intends, as soon as possible, to establish a working group incorporating representatives of the service areas and finance to agree the criteria for selecting the service improvements that will benefit from the disbursement of the fund.

We are setting up the fund but one would need a magic wand to predict the type of funds that will be made available. We are offering the opportunity to the people making a donation to the fund to express a wish as to the way they would like the money spent and we will try to facilitate that request as far as is possible.