Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2017
214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a form requirement that the figures in the final form must be audited (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48352/17]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) scheme sponsors receive funding based on agreed annual contracts. The funding is provided to cover the costs associated with running the CE scheme, such as wages for the supervisor and participants and other direct costs such as insurance, materials, and training costs.
At the end of each annual contract, the sponsor must have a record of all financial transactions of the project presented in a coherent manner. These records must be supported by the submission of an independent, professionally certified, audited Statement of Income and Expenditure.
The requirement under the CE Procedures for an annual audit of projects reflects the fact that funding for CE comes from the Exchequer, therefore it is important to maintain control of the finances, and the Department is answerable to the Government, the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee for the administration of this funding.
There is a separate legal requirement under the Companies Acts for an annual audit of the registered company, as the organisation running a CE project may have other business interests or activities outside of the CE funding. In the majority of cases the work carried out for the CE audit can be used to assist with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) audit.
My Department seeks to maximise the value for money to be achieved from the CE programme, while maintaining transparency and good public financial governance, and in that context the current audit requirements will be reviewed in the coming months.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
