PAC to examine HSE financial statements

Committee Chairman John McGuinness TD said: “While members this week will be keen to obtain an update from the Deputy Chief Executive on the implementation of recommendations contained in the PAC’s Report on the HSE, other key issues are as follows: whether the new consultant contacts will deliver savings as well as if consultants are now signing off on private insurance forms within the new 14 day timeline; savings from recent deals with the pharmaceutical industry; the upcoming reorganisation of the HSE and new staff posts that will result; the fair deal scheme; delayed discharges and the associated costs; and oversight of voluntary bodies including the cash balances that they hold.

“The Committee may also be keen to scrutinise the HSE’s 2013 National Service Plan to establish if it is currently on target and if savings of €721 million earmarked for this year are proving to be realistic and achievable.  Around €150 million of this €721 million may now have to be found elsewhere as a result of the breakdown of the Croke Park 2 negotiations, which clearly will present a major difficulty for the HSE. It is also worthy of note that the troika are now monitoring the health budget on a monthly basis.”

This meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 at 10am tomorrow, Thursday, 25th April 2013.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:  http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
 
Committee of Public Accounts Membership
 
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross.