Probe under way as Dail told consultants are creating private companies to avail of public patients

Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú, raised concerns about €14.2m paid to private companies when similar services could have been handled by the public system. Allegations surfaced regarding University Hospital Limerick's lack of proper procurement processes, including instances where consultants created private firms to divert public work for personal gain. Tóibín stressed the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the public health system, pointing to the negative consequences of private interests on patient outcomes. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill acknowledged serious compliance issues and confirmed investigations are ongoing to examine the extent of these practices.

"It is an incredible situation and a major conflict of interest for anybody in a public role to be doing this in relation to their own businesses."

"Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill accepted 'a major breakdown in terms of compliance and value for money,'... confirming a probe is under way..."

Read at Irish Independent