HSE ‘liable for spending spree’ on trips

THE boss of the HSE has said his organisation must take responsibility for accountancy failures related to the spending of millions of euro of ‘partnership funding’ some of which was used to finance at least 21 foreign trips by dozens of state employees and trade union officials.

At a meeting of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee yesterday enquiring into the health services Skill-training programme and HSE National Partnership Programme, HSE chief executive Cathal McGee said since its founding in 2005 the HSE “had accountancy responsibility, no argument” for both schemes.

However, no comprehensive audit had taken place of their spending until this year.