Pressure on HSE after latest top-up revelations

Pressure is growing on the HSE to explain why it was “so lax” in applying rules and demanding transparency of charities and health service providers that it funds, following the latest revelations about top-up payments in the sector, this time in Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Christmas Day, the chairman of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee, John McGuinness, said the HSE and the Department of Health have more questions to answer themselves than the charities under their control.

The Fianna Fáil TD was one of several politicians who criticised the decision by the hospital to release details of the payments on the night before Christmas Eve.