Written answers

Wednesday, 29 March 2006

Department of Health and Children

Health Service Projects

11:00 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the review of PPARS has been completed; if she has been informed of the outcome; if she will publish the findings of this review; the action she intends to take following its recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12558/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that it has not yet concluded its deliberations on the course of action it proposes to pursue to allow the PPARS project to recommence. A recommended action plan which will seek to leverage the investment made to date will be submitted to the HSE's chief executive officer shortly. The action plan will have to take on board last December's report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The HSE will require the approval of the Departments of Finance and Health and Children before further investment can be made in the project. The question of publication does not arise at this stage.

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the internal audit of the Health Service Executive into the awarding of PPARS contracts is completed; if she will publish its findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12559/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that the relevant internal audit report is being finalised and should be completed shortly. The HSE will then issue a copy to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The question of publication does not arise at this stage.

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has identified the beneficial owners of a company (details supplied); if she has received updates on the contact that the Revenue Commissioners have had with the Health Service Executive's north-western area to assess the facts regarding tax payments; if this information will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12560/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that its legal advisors on PPARS were asked on 7 December 2005 to establish the ownership of the company in question. The advisers initiated a process of locating the place of registration of the company and determining its shareholders and any other available information. On 16 December 2005, they reported that searches in Ireland, including Northern Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey produced no information on the ownership of the company. When they contacted the company's administrator in Guernsey, it was confirmed that the company is registered in the British Virgin Islands but does not have a physical presence there. The company's full registration number and address were given. The legal advisers made arrangements through a law firm in Bermuda to make local investigations in the British Virgin Islands. They confirmed the registration information that showed that the company was incorporated there on 25 February 2002.

The law firm advised that there is no general statutory requirement to produce or file financial statements in the British Virgin Islands, unless the company holds a particular kind of licence that requires filing, which does not apply in this case. The register of directors and members is not required to be made public or to be filed at the corporate registry in the British Virgin Islands. The search confirmed that no such filings have been made. It was not possible, from the publicly available filings in the British Virgin Islands, to discover who holds the shares in the company. Following contact by the legal advisers, the company confirmed in writing by letter dated 8 February 2006 that no persons or corporate entity resident in or incorporated in the Republic of Ireland has any interests in the shares of the company, directly or indirectly via nominees. It further stated that no person connected with the HSE has any beneficial interest in the company. The Revenue Commissioners contacted the finance unit of the HSE's office in Manorhamilton in December 2005 seeking information and copies of relevant documentation about the company, which were provided as requested. The HSE has received no further contact on the matter from the Revenue Commissioners.

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