Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
831. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of complaints she has filed to the Corporate Enforcement Agency, CEA, since the establishment of the CEA and-or An Garda Síochána in the past ten years to date in respect of grants and-or funds her Department provided that in her view were misappropriated. [48077/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I have filed no complaints to the Corporate Enforcement Agency (CEA) since the establishment of the CEA. Two issues were referred to An Garda Síochána by my Department in the specified time frame.
My Department has a Grants Management Policy and comprehensive grant agreement documents which specify the kinds of issues that may be classed as events of default or material breaches of the agreement and the consequent penalties that may apply should an issue arise.
My Department and its aegis bodies implement strong financial management practices to minimise any potential for fraud or corruption. Further to this, my Department has an Anti-Fraud and Corruption policy in place and this is communicated to all staff.
A Funds Administration Unit was set up by my Department to apply standardised and robust funds management practices across many of the bodies receiving funds from my Department. This Unit monitors the use of the funds and seeks financial and operational returns to support the expenditure in each organisation.
Audits are carried out across my Department and the majority of its aegis bodies to ensure that controls are being effectively applied.
