Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2014
270. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 3 July 2014, if she will publish the results of the audit so that the information is available to all. [30345/14]
View answerThis community-based company is supported by funding from a variety of sources to provide a range of shared and specialised services to other community and voluntary bodies. The Department of Social Protection supports service provision under the Community Services Programme (CSP) and the company also acts as a scheme sponsors for the Community Employment (CE) Programme.
As indicated in my reply to the previous question, the Department has engaged with the company to ensure that appropriate practices are in place to manage the public funds granted. The annual financial statements and audit reports for the company are available through the Companies Registration Office, in line with statutory requirements. In respect of the CE scheme, the Department is responsible for the verification of payment claims and for ensuring that the company exercises good governance practices.
Pobal is engaged by the Department to manage the day-to-day contracting arrangements for the CSP. A key requirement of this arrangement is that Pobal undertake an annual programme of audit and verification work to ensure companies have appropriate governance and oversight structures in place, operate good practices with respect to the management of public funds and have, inter alia, effective management structures and processes in place. The outcome of each audit is shared with the Board of the company being audited before it is finalised. Given the nature of the audit process, it has not been the practice for Pobal to publish the results. However, the key outputs from such audits are shared by Pobal with the Department and other agencies for appropriate follow-up action, as required.
The annual audit programme is a key element of the processes in place to provide assurances that the funds granted by the Oireachtas have been properly applied and managed.
