Dáil watchdog to probe SHB contracts

THE awarding of €1 million worth of business by a health board to a consultancy firm, without the contracts going to tender, is to be probed by a public finance watchdog.

The Southern Health Board persistently breached EU procurement rules when it granted six separate projects, including one contract worth €580,000, to the consultants during 2001 and 2002.

The failure to go to tender was discovered by Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell during his examination of the SHB’s accounts, who then carried out a special report.