Gardai in Navan are investigating an allegation that a staff member in St Mary's Hospital charged patients for appliances which are normally free. The staff member has been placed on administrative leave.
In a statement yesterday, the North Eastern Health Board denied there was a Garda investigation into claims of requests for payments for operations.
It confirmed, however, that allegations that patients had been charged for orthopaedic support jackets had led to a Garda investigation. It suggested media had become confused by the two allegations.
Sinn Fein TD Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain has called for a statement in the Dail on the matter from the Minister for Health and Childcare, Mr Cowen.
According to a spokesman for the TD, a party councillor, Mr Joe Reilly, was approached by a medical card holder on the waiting-list for a hip replacement. The man said he had been told by a member of staff at St Mary's Hospital, Navan, he could have it speedily if he paid £500 for each hip. He refused, and reported the matter to Mr Reilly. This man told the councillor that he had learned of four other people who had also been approached.
According to the NEHB, a complaint along these lines was made last October. "This complaint was fully investigated and the staff member has denied any impropriety in this matter," the statement said. "No further complaints have been received by the board."
Asked if the person on administrative leave had been mentioned in connection with the operations-for-sale allegation, a spokesman for the NEHB said no specific name had been mentioned in the complaint.
"We put the complaint to everyone in the area. They denied it absolutely. If a complaint comes in it will be investigated," he said.
The Labour Party is to raise the allegations with the Minister for Health next week. North Eastern Health Board member and Meath TD, Mr John Farrelly, said: "I deplore this type of activity taking place and I am very pleased that management at the health board acted on the basis of the information they received."