Chief executive of Central Remedial Clinic resigns

Brian Conlon appointed in controversial circumstances earlier this year

The CRC said it has accepted Brian Conlon's resignation as chief executive with immediate effect. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Carl O'Brien, Martin Wall

Mon, Dec 9, 2013, 13:17

First published:Mon, Dec 9, 2013, 11:45

The chief executive of the Central Remedial Clinic has resigned in the wake of controversy over governance issues and top-up funds at the organisation.

Brian Conlon, who was appointed chief executive in controversial circumstances earlier this year, tendered his resignation to the clinic's board.

The clinic has been mired in controversy since it emerged that charitable funds were used top top-up the salaries of senior executives.

The scandal took a further twist when The Irish Times reported recently that the HSE had expressed alarm in recent months over the "highly irregular" manner in which Mr Conlon was appointed.

Confidential internal documents show that at one point last summer the HSE said it was considering suspending nearly €250,000 in funding as part of the row.

Senior members of the clinic are due to appear before the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee later this week.

In a statement today which did not make any reference to the current controversy, clinic's board said it accepted Mr Conlon's resignation as chief executive with regret.

"The board thank Brian Conlon for his commitment to and support of the CRC. His many years of servicves on the board are greatly appreciated. We wish him continued success in the future, " it said.

Jim Nugent, who is chairman of the clinic's board, is due take on the role of chief executive on an interim basis.

In addition, it said Joan Hurley will fulfil the position as operations director in the day-to-day management of the clinic and will coordinate the senior management team.

"The board will work closely with the senior management team and staff to ensure a positive future for the CRC, its service users and staff," it said.

Documents seen by The Irish Times show the clinic moved to appoint Mr Conlon without official approval and in contravention of direct instructions issued by the HSE.

In a letter sent on November 13th to the clinic's chairman Mr Nugent, the HSE's regional director for performance and integration Angela Fitzgerald said that "the consideration of a former board member's application within an internal process is highly irregular".

She said it was clear the requirement to secure prior approval from the HSE to the filling of senior posts was not adhered to by the clinic in advance of advertising and recruitment "despite written and verbal communication to you on this matter".

The HSE served a performance notice, essentially a formal warning under its service agreement, on the CRC in July and a second in August as part of the row over the filling of the chief executive post.

It said this was unprecedented in its dealing with any service provider.

The board itself has faced calls from a number of politicians to resign for its role in the controversy over top-up funds. To date, the board has declined to comment.

Much of the controversy surrounding the clinic has focused on Mr Conlon's predessor,Paul Kiely, who received remuneration of €242,865, according to an internal HSE audit.

This comprised a HSE-funded salary of €106,900 and a CRC salary of €116,949 and a separate CRC allowance of €19,016.

These unauthorised allowances were part-funded with charitable funds raised at a time when the organisation was accused of cutting services for adults and children with disabilities. Five senior staff at the clinic are still in receipt of top-up payments.