Tánaiste calls on Fine Gael strategist to attend Rehab hearings

The Tánaiste called in the Dáil yesterday on Rehab director and senior Fine Gael strategist Frank Flannery to attend a public hearing with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Eamon Gilmore said it was a matter for the PAC to pursue the issue with Mr Flannery. "My view is very clear – he should attend and I would encourage him to do so,'' he added.

Mr Flannery, a former Rehab chief executive, declined to attend a PAC meeting last week, although he was present in Leinster House.

The PAC wants to question him on his pension and consultancy work he undertook on behalf of Rehab.

Public funds
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said Rehab was in receipt of in excess of €83 million of public funds and enjoyed the benefit of charitable status in the State. The current chief executive, Angela Kerins, had refused to reveal to the PAC last week details of the pay levels of senior executives, she added.

“We find ourselves a week on and Ms Kerins and Rehab have failed to make that information public,’’ she said.

Ms McDonald revealed that a young woman on a rehabilitative training programme with Rehab had sent her a copy of her payslip.

“This young person receives an income of €31.80 per week and has travel expenses of €15 deducted, meaning the net income as reflected by the payslip is €16.80,’’ Ms McDonald added.

“This person has no difficulty with her income being known publicly.’’

Senior executives
Mr Gilmore said the pay of senior executives in Rehab, and any other organisation funded by the State through the HSE, should be made public.

Ms McDonald said it was clear that members of the Oireachtas were of one mind on the issue, whether on Government or Opposition benches. Full details relating to payments to Rehab executives must be made public without any further delay.

She said an organisation in receipt of very substantial public money and enjoying charitable status had “thumbed its nose’’ at the general public and at its volunteers and donors.