Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 1

Other Questions. - Departmental Expenditure.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

9 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the non-pay current expenditure in his Department for each of the years from 1993 to date; whether a dedicated internal audit is currently in existence in his Department; if so, the activities of his Department and the agencies under the aegis of his Department that it covers; when it was established; the current staffing by grade in this unit; the body to whom the unit reports directly; the number of audits which have been made to date; the number of reports made in 1996; the nature of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17302/97]

Dr. McDaid

The Deputy will be aware that my Department was established in July of this year and, therefore, annual figures for non-pay current expenditure for the period referred to by the Deputy do not apply.

An internal audit unit has been established in my Department with a HEO and clerical support reporting through a principal officer to the Secretary-General. Since the establishment of this Department, the unit has completed an audit on the system of procurement of goods and services. My Department's internal audit unit is authorised to carry out a comprehensive programme of internal audit in all operational areas of my Department.

Agencies under the aegis of my Department are responsible for their own internal auditing. Bord Fáilte, SFADCo and ADM have dedicated audit units while CERT's finance-accountancy unit carries out its audits. All the agencies are subject to separate audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General and, where appropriate, by EU auditors in respect of EU funded expenditure.

Mr. Farrelly

Since coming into office has the Minister taken the time to examine the audits of the three agencies referred to in his reply?

Dr. McDaid

CERT and Bord Fáilte have already published their accounts. As far as I recall, SFADCo has published its accounts also.

Mr. Farrelly

In regard to the recent departure from Bord Fáilte of one of its executives, is the Minister in a position to inform the House the amount paid to that individual by way of severance?

Dr. McDaid

That is a matter entirely for Bord Fáilte and I do not have any knowledge of it.