Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
447 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a dedicated auditing unit in her Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of her Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications. [26850/04]
View answerA dedicated internal audit unit has been established since 1990 in the Department of Education and Science. The internal audit unit is responsible, inter alia, for establishing that the accounting systems, procedures and controls operated by the Department are being complied with and are capable of realising policy objectives in an economic, efficient and effective manner.
As part of its audit activity, the internal audit unit has, from time to time, undertaken audits of projects/programmes.
The number of staff involved is 5.5. The head of the internal audit unit holds a professional auditing qualification and is a Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
