Accountability & Governance

• The Mercy University Hospital Cork Foundation is highly conscious of our responsibilities to all our stakeholders. To be fully accountable for all donations and to make the best possible use of all our financial resources.
  
  
• We are responsible for ensuring that funds raised for the Hospital are managed efficiently, allocated in a transparent manner. In line with a donor’s wishes, our Code of Ethics and our Donor Bill of Rights.
  
  
• The Foundation also recognises the importance of accurate and clear financial management and reporting. We aim to adhere to the highest of standards. We aim to achieve this through externally audited annual accounts, through annual internal audits and spot checks which are carried out by independent external providers of such services. As well as through the work and oversight of our Finance and Audit Committee.
  
  
• It is the role of the Finance and Audit Committee to ensure that these high standards are adhered. By assisting the Board with, and overseeing, the Board’s financial responsibilities and ensuring that effective systems, financial controls and procedures are in place. This is to enable the Mercy University Hospital Cork Foundation to operate in an orderly and efficient manner. The Foundation shall report to the Board on internal controls and procedures and on external audit requirements.
  
  
• The Finance and Audit Committee shall monitor and review the accuracy and integrity of the financial statements of the Foundation. This includes its annual and half yearly reports and interim management statements. Also and any other formal announcement relating to its financial performance. Reviewing significant financial reporting issues and judgments which they contain.

• The Board of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation is made up of members who are independent from the senior management or Board of Directors of the hospital.
  
  
• All our members are independent of the hospital and the HSE. Click here to view the members of the Board. The Staff Team at the Foundation consists of 4 full time (inc. CEO) and 4 part time staff. Click here to find out more about our staff. As required, staff members are fully Garda Vetted.
  
  
• Every staff member is trained in and is highly cognizant of the Foundation’s Cash Handling Procedure. For example, it is our policy to receipt every donation received. Either be it through the post, online or in person. Staff will not accept a donation in person without issuing an interim receipt. This is then followed by an official receipt in the post.

• The Mercy University Hospital Cork Foundation is highly conscious of its responsibilities to all its stakeholders. We ensure that we fulfill our Governance obligations and adhere to the highest possible standards.
  
  
• The Foundation is one of the Registered Charities that has signed up to ‘The Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising’. We welcome the appointment of the Charities Regulator. We comply with ‘The Code of Governance for Community and Voluntary Organisations’.
  
  
• The Governance Committee was established by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in fulfilling its governance obligations. This is done by providing an independent review of its legal and regulatory responsibilities. This is carried out through the provision of adequate policies and procedures.
  
  
• The Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Foundation has sufficient resourcing. Also that the correct skills and expertise are in place to achieve its strategic objectives. This includes ensuring Board positions are filled by individuals with the correct skill sets and governance experience.

• Monitoring the integrity of the statements of compliance with Codes of Practice for Good Governance of Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations. This is required by legislation and regulatory authorities.
  
  
• Reviewing the adequacy of the internal governance controls and risk management systems and in particular those relating to governance matters.
  
  
• Discussing the results of the annual audit and consider matters arising especially those impacting on the approval of the financial statements.
  
  
• In conjunction with the Nominations Committee and where appropriate, identify the necessary skills, experience and other attributes that are needed for an effective Board.
  
  
• In conjunction with the Company Secretary, ensure that newly appointed Directors receive adequate induction and training to enable them to exercise responsibilities to maximum effectiveness and have no conflicts of interest.

• Board Members must have adequate time available to devote to the work of the Board of Directors and, ideally, to one of its standing committees.
  
  
• Board Members must be free of any legal impediment, conflict of interest. Also of any other consideration which might prevent them from discharging the responsibilities of a Governor.
  
  
• The duty of each member of the Board is to act at all times solely in the interests of the Company, to the exclusion of all other considerations. The members of the Board of Directors may not get any material gains from their position as a member of the Board of the Company.
• Where a member becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest between there own interests (whether personal or financial) and that of the Company or that of another organisation with which they are employed/involved. This must be declared and that member must withdraw from that part of the meeting at which such discussions /decisions shall take place. If a member of the Board has a doubt whether they have a conflict of interest, that member should consult the Chairperson.
  
  
• Each member of the board signs a ‘Directors Conflict of Interest Declaration’. The purpose of the ‘Directors Conflict of Interest Declaration’ is to determine if there are any conflicts arising because of your personal or professional interests which may potentially interfere with your duties as a Director of the Foundation.

Note: “Transactions with Directors – Directors do not receive remuneration for their services. There were no transactions with Directors during the year.” Excerpt from our Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December 2015.

• The Mercy University Hospital itself has confirmed that all payments to Mercy University Hospital employees are paid in accordance with Department of Health pay scales and health sector pay policy.
  
  
• There are no additional payments made to employees. The Mercy University Hospital Foundation states that no funds donated to the Foundation or raised through its many fundraising initiatives have ever been used to top up salaries of the Mercy University Hospital CEO or Hospital management.