Rehab review welcome, but outstanding questions remain for the board – Harris

Fine Gael Wicklow/East Carlow TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday) said that the appointment by Rehab of the independent management consultant, Dr Eddie Molloy, to conduct a review of the organisation is a welcome development for the group which should help to address concerns about its corporate governance.

However, Deputy Harris added that former senior members of the Rehab Group and existing board members still have questions to answer about their role at the helm of the organisation.

“It is welcome that the Rehab Group has finally acknowledged that its response to concerns about pay levels and corporate governance has been inadequate and that its reputation has been seriously damaged as a result.

“However, belatedly setting up a review doesn’t take away from the fact that Rehab board members played a key role in setting pay rates and overseeing other practices at the organisation. It’s now three months since Angela Kerins first refused to disclose her salary as CEO, and questions about the organisation remain unanswered.

“The attempts now being made to fundamentally repair Rehab’s reputation must not be viewed as a fait accompli. If Rehab truly wants to rebuild trust, then its former senior executives – including Angela Kerins and Frank Flannery – must come before the Public Accounts Committee to answer outstanding questions.

“The appointment of Dr Molloy to carry out a root and branch reform of the organisation will be particularly welcome for ordinary staff members and service users, who have felt embarrassed and let down by the revelations of recent months.

“Rehab provides invaluable services to people with disabilities in every county across the country. It is very important that this good work is allowed to continue. I view the appointment of Eddie Molloy as a genuine attempt to change how things are done at the top in Rehab; this can only be of benefit to its service users.

“The onus is now on those who can respond to the questions that remain about corporate governance at Rehab to provide answers.”

ENDS