Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has called for all Government departments to examine organisations under their remit to ensure they are in compliance with public pay policy. Deputy O’Donovan was speaking during Topical Issues in the Dáil on the on-going controversy over unsanctioned top-ups to health chiefs.
“Members of the public have expressed their outrage to me in recent weeks, over the level of unsanctioned payments being handed over to senior managers in public and voluntary hospitals. While I would like to commend the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, for initiating the investigation into these payments in the first place, I think it is time all Government departments took a closer look at all of the organisations under their remit.
“I do not believe that the health service is unique when it comes to unsanctioned payments. While it is important for Minister Reilly to expand the HSE investigation to include Section 39 hospitals, it think it is imperative that other departments also begin investigations to examine the level of compliance with public pay policy in all organisations receiving State funding. We must follow the money trail.
“It is also essential that simple governance principles are adhered to in all of these organisations. This would include the holding of AGMs, the publication of an annual statement of accounts, and proper scrutiny when board members are being appointed. I believe the appointment of public interest board members would also help to ensure proper principles are being followed. Regular auditing of accounts must also become the norm.
“Ultimately, it will be service users who will suffer if we don’t get to the bottom of this issue quickly. I am concerned at the report of a falloff in donations to charities; this means many worthwhile and honest organisations will suffer unfairly. And, more importantly, the people they support will feel the brunt. We must ensure transparency across all organisations which are receiving funding from the State, for the sake of taxpayers and service users.”