Written answers

Thursday, 29 March 2007

Department of Health and Children

Health Service Reform

7:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether a value for money audit should now be conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General following reports on salaries and expenses paid to the top advisers to the CEO of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12009/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As part of the arrangements for the appointment of Professor Brendan Drumm as Chief Executive Officer, the Board of the HSE agreed that support and advisory resources would be provided for the implementation of the health service reform programme. 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.

It was agreed that one of the roles would be filled immediately by internal re-assignment 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 of these advisers are contracted to provide 135 days each per annum but that different annual rates applied to each individual. Where work is required in excess of the 135 days, a per diem rate applied. This is capped at 20%, i.e. 27 days per annum.

The HSE is of the view that the daily rates provided for in the contracts involved are not excessive when compared with daily norms for management consultancy input across the public sector and the economy as a whole. 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. In relation to whether a value for money audit should be conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), the C&AG is an independent Constitutional Officer, appointed by the President on the nomination of the Dáil. It would not be a matter for me, as Minister for Health and Children to instruct or advise his Office as to what work should be carried out. However, I would, of course, assist in any way possible any audit which he may see fit to carry out, in any area which he may feel warranted examination.

By way of additional information, it is worth noting that the Health Act 2004 sets out the HSE's responsibilities in relation to codes of standards of integrity, conduct and governance. Under Section 35 of the Act, the HSE is obliged to submit a Code of Governance for my approval. A draft Code of Governance was received from the Executive at the end of September 2006. It comprises a suite of documents which make up a Framework for the Corporate and Financial Governance of the HSE. The contents of this Code are being assessed by my Department and discussions are being finalised with other Departments/Offices that have an interest in this issue. I anticipate that the examination of the Code will be completed shortly and I will be in contact with the HSE at that point.

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