Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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327. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to date to recover top-up moneys from taxpayers paid to CEO’s of Irish hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2019/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As was outlined in the HSE's Internal Audit Report, a considerable number of Section 38 agencies were found to be in breach of Government pay policy with regard to the remuneration of senior staff.

The HSE has a team of senior managers following up with individual agencies and the Director General of the HSE met with the Chairpersons and the CEOs of all the Section 38 organisations in December 2013. Further and separate meetings were held by senior HSE managers with all of the disability organisations and hospitals concerned to ensure that a clear plan to achieve full compliance with health sector pay policy is developed with each agency.

I understand that a number of agencies have submitted business cases in relation to these payments and these will be closely examined by the HSE. As set out in the Department’s pay policy, if an organisation wishes to make a business case for the continuation of an unapproved allowance, it is open to it to do so and any such cases will be considered by the HSE (with the involvement of the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as necessary).

As indicated above the HSE is urgently meeting individual agencies and it is important that due process is followed.