HSE launches investigation into autism charity after alleged transfer of funds

PAC chair John Brady said the review needed to be carried out as a matter of urgency.

HSE CEO Anne O’Connor has confirmed that the agency has launched a review of all financial, contractual, and governance records related to Autism Initiatives Ireland (AII).  Picture: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce

The HSE has launched a major review into the funding of an Irish autism charity amid allegations it transferred more than €1.5m in taxpayer funds to its UK counterpart.

HSE CEO Anne O’Connor has confirmed that the agency has launched a review of all financial, contractual, and governance records related to Autism Initiatives Ireland (AII).

Documents seen by the

Irish Examine r

outline that concerns were raised in 2019 about the alleged transfer of funds from Ireland to the UK, with €1,522,788 said to be moved outside the State.

In a briefing note provided to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Ms O’Connor confirms the HSE did not provide any approval to AII to transfer the funds.

She adds that all funding provided to the charity is 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 does not have any records indicating it was aware of funds being transferred out of the country by AII, but the review examine if it received a “retrospective notification”.

Governance and compliance concerns at the charity were first flagged internally within the HSE in 2022.

PAC chairman John Brady said the HSE review underlines the “seriousness of the allegations”, describing it as “absolutely shocking”.

“It is astounding that these transfers appear to have taken place, with absolutely no approval sought or granted, and no appropriate oversight in place,” Mr Brady said.

Mr Brady said the review needed to be carried out as a matter of urgency.

“It is also essential that we establish that similar arrangements do not exist in any other organisations, to ensure public funding is being used appropriately and transparently,” he said.

Autism Initiatives was contacted for comment.

• Tadgh McNally is a Political Reporter for Irish Examiner.