Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children whether advisers to the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, Professor Drumm, can claim overtime fees of up to €1,500 a day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15476/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Section 24 of the Health Act 2004 empowers the HSE to engage such advisers as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. Any fees due to an adviser so engaged are payable by the HSE out of funds at its disposal.

As part of the arrangements for the appointment of Professor Brendan Drumm as chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive, the board of the HSE agreed that support and advisory resources would be provided for the implementation of the health service reform programme. It was agreed that one of the roles would be filled immediately by internal reassignment and a second by secondment.

The remaining three roles were of a consultancy nature and were filled through a public procurement process. I understand that all three of these advisers are contracted to provide 135 days each per annum but that different annual rates apply to each individual. Where work is required in excess of the 135 days a per diem rate applies. This is capped at 20%, that is, 27 days per annum. The per diem rates are specific to each adviser and are related to the rate payable for 135 days. I understand that the rates are €1,207, €1,350 and €1,500 for the three individuals concerned. I am advised that the HSE has reserved the right to renegotiate the per diem rate if additional days in excess of 20% are required. The individuals concerned are actively assisting the CEO in implementing the health reform programme, which is the most ambitious reform programme in the history of the State.

Deputies will recall last June the calls from every quarter for the Government to facilitate Professor Drumm in taking up this position. There were accusations also that we were standing in the way of such resources being put in place. These were, of course, completely wide of the mark.