Siptu did not 'approve' Skills fund

The account at the centre of the Skill training scheme controversy which was operated by Siptu officials was not approved or in the control of the union, Siptu general secretary Joe O'Flynn said tonight.

Mr O'Flynn said the account was managed by an official of the union but that Siptu had now obtained control of the Siptu national health and local authority levy fund, in which various State sources lodged more than €4 million.

He said the union was not yet in a position to respond to allegations the money was largely unaccounted for after allegedly being used for purposes such as overseas trips, meals and taxis but that an internal inquiry into the allegations was underway.

In a speech delivered at Liberty Hall, Dublin tonight Mr O'Flynn said the payments were not part of Siptu's annual audited accounts and "there was never any contact or communication by the HSE with Siptu head office relating to these grants or payments until late last year when we were contacted by the HSE audit team."

He said Siptu had "no legal liability whatsoever in this matter". "No court in the land would hold anyone liable to account for money they never received."

The monies relate to a HSE skills training programme established to up-skill and assist lower grade workers in the health service. More than €4 million in grant payments were made to the account over a number of years.

The Department of Health lodged more than €2 million and over €300,000 in expense reimbursements were paid into this account, as was €790,000 from the Local Government Management Services Board and €925,000 from the Health Service Partnership Forum.

Siptu had said it would repay some of the money involved if any payments are found to have not been properly vouched. The union said it had lodged €348,000 with a commissioner for oaths in good faith.

Mr O'Flynn said this had been seen as an admission of liability by the union and that it not be repaid now because of the negative reaction to the offer.

"We will have to find another way to address the matter after the inquiry is completed."

He said he thought it "quite incredible" that an organisation such as the HSE would hand over sums of money year after year without any agreement or contract as to how the monies were to be used or audited.

"In fact, it is amazing that over the past nine years the HSE never once sought to verify the spending of the funds allocated."

Earlier, Siptu president Jack O’Connor said the union would not “walk away from the matter” but would instead find another way to address any other issues that might arise when the investigation has concluded.