Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2013
227. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department or the Health Service Executive are taking in view of the top-up culture for senior managers in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52328/13]
View answer240. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when his Department was first informed of the payment of top-ups at the Central Remedial Clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52439/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 240 together.
Arising from the HIQA report on Tallaght Hospital in 2012 which noted that a number of senior staff had been in receipt of remuneration in addition to the approved rates for their posts, my Department requested the HSE to take steps to ensure that similar payments were not being made in other agencies funded under Section 38 of the 2004 Health Act. On foot of this, on 21 May 2012 the HSE wrote to all Section 38 organisations, seeking comprehensive information on any supplementary payments being made to senior managers within their organisations. In early June 2012 the HSE informally briefed my Department on the initial responses received. Among the information conveyed in that context was that the CRC had indicated that the CEO of the organisation was in receipt of substantial payments in excess of the approved salary for the post. Following analysis of the organisations' responses, the HSE's Internal Audit Directorate was requested to examine in detail the nature of any supplementary remuneration arrangements in Section 38 agencies and the extent to which these were the subject of official approval.
The HSE has robustly and effectively investigated all the relevant matters and, with the support of my Department, will take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with Government pay policy. The HSE will furnish me with further progress reports in due course following full and fair procedures.
