HSE defends stance over charity cash

The Health Service Executive (HSE) maintains its decision-making in relation to a controversy over the non-transfer of funding to a Galway-based children’s charity was “appropriate”.

Chief Officer Tony Canavan was responding to statements made by Galway West Fine Gael TD, Hildegarde Naughton, who called on the HSE to transfer the €300,000 or €400,000 owed to charity Hand in Hand as per an historic agreement.

When Boys Hope Girls Hope ceased operating in 2005, it was obliged to return its assets to HSE.

This happened in 2009, and the HSE planned to transfer €300,000 to Hand in Hand, a charity that was doing similar work.

In 2010, the HSE gave €50,000 only and blamed the country’s financial crisis for not following through with the rest.

“It is clear from our records that the decisions taken by HSE management in 2009 were appropriate, given the financial circumstances of the HSE at the time,” the HSE said in a statement.