Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
647. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from SOLAS; and if not, when his Department expects to receive same. [20163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 32 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013 requires SOLAS to submit its annual report to me no later than the following 31st May, while section 31 requires it to submit its draft financial statements no later than 1st March to the Comptroller and Auditor General. I can confirm that SOLAS submitted its draft 2023 financial statements to the Comptroller and Auditor General on 27th February. My Department also received a copy of the draft financial statements in line with the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Once audited, the 2023 Financial Statements of SOLAS, incorporating the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, together with the Annual Report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in line with the statutory requirements and the procedures set out in Circular 24 of 2021 on “Timely Production and Submission of Financial Statements/Accounts of State Bodies and Funds audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Laying of Special Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General before the Houses of the Oireachtas”.
