Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
730. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she continues to have confidence in the operation of a State and HSE funded charity (details supplied) following reports of potentially inappropriate invoice related transfers of up to €1.5 million; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32258/26]
View answerThis Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 organisations.
While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, decisions on commissioning of services from individual service providers and funding allocations to individual service providers are an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
The HSE has a robust Service Provider Governance Framework in place to govern funding relationships with all non-statutory agencies. The framework was introduced to implement the legislative provisions of the Health Act, 2004 including the requirements for accountability. The HSE is legally obliged to account for expenditure of public funding while optimising outcome from the health and personal social services its funds and delivers.
The formal Service Agreements between the HSE and providers are important contractual arrangements. Most significantly, these agreements directly link the funding provided to a costed quantum of service and require services to be delivered in accordance with applicable regulations and quality standards. The HSE monitors service delivery to ensure equity, efficiency, and effective use of the available resources.
With regard to this specific question, I am advised by the HSE, as the funding and governance body, they did not approve, nor was it notified in advance or retrospectively of any transfer of HSE-funded monies or assets. The HSE advised that from an initial review of available records, no record of any such notification has been located indicating that the HSE was notified or made aware of such transfers at the time they occurred.
I am advised the HSE will conduct a more extensive review of relevant financial, contractual and governance records. As this is an ongoing operational matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
