PAC to consider reports on penalty points and medical cards

MEDIA RELEASE
24 September 2014

The Committee will consider separate reports on its investigation into the issuing of penalty points and medical card review. It will also consider a composite report on the four meetings it held in relation to:

•     Land Swap Arrangement in the Provision of Affordable Housing
•     State Pathology Building Project
•     Appointment of Director at National Gallery of Ireland
•     Lapses in controls at Waterford Institute of Technology

Committee Chairman John McGuinness TD says: “Tomorrow’s meeting will provide a valuable opportunity to discuss a three draft reports, which reflect many of the key items on the Committee’s work programme in 2014. Committee Members will have the opportunity to input into the draft reports before final publication.

 “The Committee held four meetings over the course of 2014 on the fixed charge processing system and related road safety issues. The draft report which we will consider tomorrow addresses the systemic weaknesses that lead to high levels of fine evasion and the non-endorsement of driving licences with penalty points in the aftermath of court decisions. It also focusses on the use of discretion and the inappropriate cancellation of fixed charge penalties by senior Gardaí. The draft report also discusses the need to enhance the system for handling complaints from whistle-blowers, as well as the imperative for a better return from the use of the Go-Safe speed detection cameras.

 “The second draft report for discussion tomorrow relates to the review of the medical card scheme. It is clear from the PAC examination is that the vast majority of the card holding population are, following review, eligible to retain their cards. The focus of our report therefore was on examining ways in which the HSE can be more efficient and effective in applying control measures so that only those who have an entitlement hold a medical card.”

 “Finally, the third draft report for consideration tomorrow flows from a series of meetings which pointed to waste of exchequer funding in a number of public bodies. This draft report makes important recommendations on a range of issues arising from these meetings.”

The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 25 September in Committee Room 1, LH 2000 at 10 am. Public proceedings can be viewed online here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee Membership

Deputies:     

Áine Collins, Fine Gael
Paul J. Connaughton, Fine Gael
Joe Costello, Labour Party
John Deasy, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Seán Fleming, Fianna Fáil
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin
John McGuinness, Fianna Fáil (Chairman)
Eoghan Murphy, Fine Gael
Derek Nolan, Labour Party
Kieran O’Donnell, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Shane Ross, Independent