Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013
240. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the amount of money held on deposit or in short-term bank investments by each Government or State agency or body under his Department's remit; the rate of interest at which the deposits are held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6337/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not routinely collected by my Department.
Responsibility for the day to day administration of Non Commercial State Agencies under my Department's remit lies with their governing Boards. These agencies publish an annual report and financial statements, which in general, are made available on each agency's website. All agencies under the aegis of my Department must operate within the parameters of Public Financial Procedures. In addition, they are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General, details of which are available on its website.The Health Service Executive operates a number of commercial bank accounts which it uses to expend its annual budget, with responsibility for its internal financial control lying with the Board of the HSE.Section 36 (2) of the Health Act, 2004 requires the Executive to prepare Annual Financial Statements. In addition, as a Vote holder, the HSE is required to prepare an Appropriation Account annually in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866 (as amended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993). Details of bank balances at the end of the financial year will be set out in these accounts, which are published following audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
