Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the €15,964 in interest from accumulated EU funded projects has been repaid to CEPOL and the Exchequer in the proportion in which the funding was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32920/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware I have indicated publicly my concern at the findings of the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the financial procedures in the Garda College Templemore. As the Deputy will also be aware the Public Accounts Committee is expected to issue a report on its examination of the matter in the near future. The Garda Commissioner has been Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote since July 2006. Very particular responsibilities lie with Accounting Officers under the law and you will appreciate that I must be careful not to interfere in any way with the work of that Committee.
I have been assured that the Garda Authorities recognise the gravity of the issues raised, they have accepted the recommendations in full and are taking comprehensive steps to progress their implementation. External governance expertise and auditors have been engaged. A Steering Committee, chaired by the Garda Síochána Chief Administrative Officer and including a representative from my Department, is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations with a view to bringing matters to a conclusion as quickly as possible. I am, however, informed that there are several aspects to the implementation of the recommendations, including the recommendation referred to by the Deputy, that require further consideration to ensure that there is a full understanding of the extent of the issues identified in order to address fully their implementation. This work is ongoing.
In addition, upon receipt of the report, it was referred by my predecessor to the Policing Authority to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and to report back on a quarterly basis. I expect the Authority to submit its first report to me at the end of this month.
