Vol. 523 No. 5
286 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a request to set up a public inquiry into serious allegations concerning an institute of education (details supplied); if he has read the documentation available on the circumstances of these allegations; the action he will take to have the matter cleared up satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21536/00]
Under the terms of the Regional Tech nical College Acts, matters relating to examinations are clearly a statutory function of the management and governing body of the institutes of technology.
The director of the institute in question has informed my Department that the matter has been referred to its legal advisers and that they are following the advice given. In accordance with this advice, it was decided that an independent external person could best investigate and report on the security of examination material and this is being pursued. Meanwhile, I am assured that immediate action has been taken by the registrar to tighten up further the security and processes in order to ensure that this problem does not recur.
With regard to the allegations of financial irregularities, I am unaware of any such allegations. The college authorities assure me that the tightest possible control of expenses/travel claims is exercised and that all travel arrangements are processed using "value for money" as their guiding principle. Any information about financial mismanagement should be conveyed to the management of the institute.
