Football Association of Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Questions (279)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consultations with and or if sanction was sought by the Secretary General of his Department to take up a board position at an association (details supplied); the procedures in place in his Department in respect of sanctioning voted expenditure to other Departments that can be distributed to other State agencies which is in turn granted to associations on which senior Government officials are board members of in order to satisfy clear and transparent governance status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/20]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Secretary General of my Department did consult with me prior to confirmation of his appointment as a non-Executive Director position at this sporting organisation. 

The management of grant funding provided from public money issued in the form of a DPER Circular 13/2014 – Management and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This Circular outlines the public financial management principles, procedures, and additional reporting requirements to be followed in the management of grant funding provided from public money. The fundamental principle is that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The provisions of the Circular apply to the movement of funds from a Vote to an outside body, and to any/all onward movements of that funding. The objective is to ensure that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.