HSE chief admits to 'systemic failure' in training fund administration

HSE Chief Executive Cathal Magee today told an Oireachtas committee that there appeared to have been a "systemic failure" to adhere to foreign travel regulations in relation to a training programme.

Mr Magee made the comments before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is investigating apparent irregularities in the administration of funding for the SKILL programme.

He said that while investigations are ongoing, serious breaches of HSE guidelines are evident in some of the 31 foreign trips that have been identified.

The controversy over the HSE training fund was sparked by an internal audit of the project revealing over €2.5m of a €60m budget had been paid in to a bank account allegedly used by some officials at trade union SIPTU.

It is understood auditors found inadequate documentation was submitted to back up claims worth €348,000 – which included a retirement party, over €12,500 on taxis, and charges for mobile phones, laptops, home broadband, gifts and gratuities.

SIPTU has insisted it did not ask for or receive the money under investigation, did not authorise or approve the account the cash was paid into and said it only took control of the account in recent weeks.

The union insists it has no liability in relation to the monies under investigation but has lodged the sum of €348,000 with a commissioner for oaths and said it will repay "without prejudice" any expenses which cannot be properly vouched.