Ahern hits back in PPARS debacle
The management of PPARS, a health services IT system, was the subject of a highly critical report published on Tuesday by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which monitors how public money is spent.
Speaking in the Dáil, Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, said the scandal had evolved under the watch of three successive health ministers: Brian Cowen, Micheál Martin and Mary Harney.
“However, no head will roll in this case because the Taoiseach will not identify who was responsible for the debacle,” he added.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said it was “a disgrace” there was no ministerial accountability for the loss of e195m.
“But the Taoiseach shows no appreciation that taxpayers do not want their hard-earned euro spent and wasted in this fashion by the Government,” he said.
However, the Taoiseach said the PPARS project - the aim of which was to provide a single payroll and personnel management system for the health service - had started seven years ago in four health board areas.
The health boards, which included TDs and councilors as members, were later replaced by a single national body, the Health Service Executive (HSE).
“No board ever signalled any problem with PPARS,” Mr Ahern said.
“There were 70 politicians on the boards, a point we should not forget. We will take ministerial responsibility. However, if one looks back at the reviews, which are also being considered as part of this, it will be seen that the health boards and members on all sides of the House have a responsibility.”
But Mr Rabbitte said the Taoiseach was operating “in a different reality.” “Trying to spread the blame as if somebody on this side of the House is responsible beggars belief,” he said.
Mr Rabbitte also criticised the “brass neck” of the consultants involved in the project, Deloitte & Touche, who had received €37m in fees while the State carried all the risk. “The company took us for a ride for €37m and it has issued a patronising, condescending statement today about what a good job it has done.”
On that point, Mr Ahern did not disagree.
“I will not state that all the consultants who had a part did a great job, as they did not.”
But he defended the civil and public servants involved, saying they had “worked extremely hard”.
“They attempted to put a good scheme together and got the best ICT experts they could.”
The HSE and the Departments of Health and Finance were now examining the Comptroller’s report, he added.
The report will be discussed by the Dáil Public Accounts Committee today.
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