Committee of Public Accounts to examine expenditure on mental health services and the HSE’s 2021 Financial Statements

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and representatives of the Health Service Executive (HSE) led by CEO Paul Reid, and officials from the Department of Health.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The HSE’s budget is the largest of any public sector organisation and in 2021 its total expenditure was just over €22.7 billion. It is important that taxpayers know how these monies are spent and it is the Committee’s role to ensure that we get value for money from our public services.

“This meeting will focus on expenditure on mental health related services in Community Healthcare Organisations for Areas 4 and 8, which cover Cork and Kerry, and the Midlands, Louth and Meath. Members are interested in the capital and current spend on these services covering the development of facilities and the day to day running costs.

“Other areas the Committee wishes to examine are matters related to updates on issue we have examined at previous meetings, including expenditure on dealing with the May 2021 cyber attack on the HSE systems, non-compliant procurement, losses relating to emergency procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the implementation of the HSE’s Integrated Financial Management and Procurement System (IFMS).

“This meeting will be the last time that outgoing CEO Paul Reid will be the accountable person for the HSE to PAC as he is stepping down this week and the Committee looks forward to discussing these issues and related matters with Mr Reid and his colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

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