Autism charity staff raised concerns 'very few' services provided by UK branch after €1.5m transfer

HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor said all funding provided to the charity was only to be used for providing disability services within Ireland. Picture: Shane O'Neill

Senior staff at an Irish autism charity raised concerns “very few” services were being provided by its UK and Northern Irish counterparts, after €1.5m of HSE funds were allegedly moved out of the State.

Correspondence seen by the Irish Examiner, provided to PAC, reveals the concern of a senior staff member of Autism Initiatives Ireland (AII) over funds being allegedly moved out of the State for support services.

The letter states there were no services requested by AII to be delivered by either the UK or NI charity.

It adds “very few services were provided or supports put in place” by either the UK or NI branches of Autism Initiatives. The supports which were put in place were said to be mostly unsuitable due to “the unique legislative and practical landscape” in Ireland.

It comes a day after the HSE confirmed it had begun a review of financial, contractual, and governance records related to AII over the allegations of funds being moved out of the State.

HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor confirmed the review in correspondence to the Public Accounts Committee, saying the health service had not provided approvals to AII to transfer the funds.

She added all funding provided to the charity was only to be used for providing disability services within Ireland.

“The HSE has no evidence at this time that services were contracted, delivered, or invoiced by UK-based entities in connection with the transfers referenced by the committee,” Ms O’Connor wrote.

Ms O’Connor said the HSE currently did not have any records indicating it was aware of funds being transferred out of the country by AII, but the review would examine if it received a “retrospective notification”.

She added these governance concerns were flagged with the HSE in 2022.

The letter from the senior staff member refers to the €1.5m being withdrawn from AII cash accounts over four years, but particularly highlights a €200,000 “historical management charge” applied by AI UK on proceeds of a property sale.

It adds this charge had never been itemised or broken down by AI UK.

The letter states AII had never “sought nor received services or support of a type or volume which would justify this Historical Management Charge”.

“AI Ireland is fully staffed, has its own management and HR team and engages external support at its own expense where appropriate or necessary,” the letter states.

PAC chairman John Brady raised concerns about the lack of services being provided, describing the situation as “absolutely shocking”.

“This will be yet another cruel blow to those who have to fight the system every day to get the most basic support that they are entitled to,” Mr Brady said.

“It is also shocking to hear that governance and compliance concerns at the charity were first flagged internally within the HSE in 2022.

“This raises the question, what action has been taken since? The minister must bring clarity to these matters immediately.”

The Irish Examiner contacted Autism Initiatives for comment, but none was received.