Martin ‘unable to trace use of funds’

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has admitted difficulties in determining whether money allocated to reduce waiting lists actually went towards treating patients.

Last November the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), John Purcell, released a report saying he was unable to determine if €246 million allotted to the Waiting List Initiative (WLI) since 1993 had resulted in any extra surgery.

Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming criticised Mr Purcell’s findings at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee this week by accusing him of failing to establish if the WLI represented value for money.