Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 8, to delete lines 24 to 26.

I understand the need to provide for the hospital to be able to borrow for capital purposes against its income and assets. Such a provision is used by many universities and other institutions across the State. However, I do not see why the hospital would need to borrow for current purposes, given that the State should be funding it to deliver in line with demand. Hospitals run by the State should be funded from the provision of current services from the State from the Exchequer. If section 8(3) is left in the Bill, the current Government and future Governments will be allowed to underfund hospitals and instruct them to borrow money to provide paediatric healthcare services. I feel its inclusion will allow for exploitation, which is something we should be wary of because we have experienced enough of it.

I have proposed amendment No. 6 because I believe section 8(3) as a whole is questionable. Section 8(3) of the Bill exemplifies the concept of mission creep, which describes how objectives can shift gradually in a way that often results in unplanned longer-term changes. I do not see why children's health Ireland will need to "acquire, hold and dispose of shares or other interests in a company, or become a member of a company". The mission of the hospital and its board is to provide paediatric healthcare to children across the State. I do not see why the board of the children's hospital will need to become a member of a company. Other subsections within section 8 give the board the scope to establish subsidiaries and so forth.Its members are willing to take part in the formation of a company. It is a bit curious that children's health Ireland will need the ability to become a member of a company itself. I do not feel it is appropriate and I feel there is much more to this than meets the eye. Unless the Minister can give me a satisfactory answer, I will push the amendment to a vote.