Departmental Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Questions (229)

John McGuinness

Question:

229. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the investigation into the administration and financial management of the FÁS scheme at a hostel and other locations has been completed; if the documentary evidence provided to a person (details supplied) has been examined as part of this investigation; if all the courses and training took place; if the funds provided for the courses and so on were spent correctly; if the report into all allegations made will be published; the amount of taxpayers' funds spent on the hostel project; the current use being applied to the hostel and old church; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21936/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Internal Audit Unit in FÁS completed an investigation of the FÁS scheme at the hostel referred to by the Deputy and issued a report on 28th June 2013. The documentary evidence provided to the person mentioned by the Deputy was examined as part of this investigation.

This was the Jobs Initiative Project which provides participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The investigation found that some of the funds provided by FÁS were not spent correctly and resulted in a loss of €159,960 to FÁS.

The report will not be published in line with normal protocols but redacted copies of the report have been issued under FOI. A copy of the report was given to the Garda Síochána. A Garda investigation was launched and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP decided not to proceed with a prosecution.

FÁS provided funding of €4.5 million to the project from the National Training Fund, of which €4 million was related to participants pay. Other funding was allocated from Pobal and the Dormant Bank Account fund. FÁS funding related to the hostel only and not to the church.

The Jobs Initiative project which was funded by FÁS at the hostel was closed in 2010. Neither SOLAS nor Tipperary Education and Training Board have any current funding relationship with the hostel.