Disability charity beefs up its security after €12k fraud

A charity which provides services to people with an intellectual disability has tightened its internal procedures after a staff member admitted misappropriating over €12,000 in HSE funds.

The Brothers of Charity Services, which works with more than 600 adults and children in Cork and Kerry, confirmed it had implemented a number of “preventative measures” to ensure such an incident of fraud would not occur again.

The HSE has also confirmed that an agreement has been reached to repay the entire amount; about €8,000 has been repaid to date, the Irish Examiner has learned.

It follows the conclusion of internal reports into the incident at the charity’s Lota complex in Cork, which emerged last year.

The HSE provides funding to the Brothers of Charity for the provision of services for people with intellectual disability and autism and for a range of residential, respite and day services.

Last July, the charity confirmed that irregularities linked to funding at one of its units had come to light as a result of their own internal controls and procedures. It launched a disciplinary process and reported the matter to gardaí, to the HSE and to HIQA. HSE South sought a report on the matter.

The Irish Examiner has established that a total of €12,700 was misappropriated.

The Brothers of Charity Services submitted a report on the matter to HIQA on July 29 last, and to the HSE on August 8 last.

“This report addressed the issues of concern,” the HSE said in a statement. “During a disciplinary process, a misappropriation of funds was admitted together with an explanation of reason.

“A commitment to repay the full amount of funds to the Brothers of Charity was provided. The report identified that approximately €12,700 of HSE monies were misappropriated. To date approximately €8,000 has been repaid.”

The HSE said that the charity’s own investigation report, which was conducted under the disciplinary process, provided a number of recommendations covering preventative measures.

“The learning from this case should insure against any potential repeat of the situation,” the HSE said.

However, a spokesperson for the HSE said the charity’s internal report will not be published.