27 Feb 2013, 13:29
The Committee of Public Accounts will consider the financial statements of the Department of Education and Skills when it meets with the Department’s Secretary General Seán Ó Foghlú, tomorrow, 27th February, 2013.
Committee Chairman John McGuinness TD said: “Salary overpayments to teachers will be on the Committee’s agenda when we meet with the Secretary General of the Department of the Department of Education tomorrow.
“The C&AG report stated that the likely overall value of the overpayments was in the order of €1.18 million but the estimate has actually increased to €1.745 million. Why was the original estimate incorrect? A total of €508,482 has been recovered up to the 14th February 2013, with the balance outstanding of €1.236 million. We will be keen to find out if repayment plans/salary deductions are in place for the €1.236 million still outstanding? What percentage of overpayments is generally recouped by the department?
“The use of Public Private Partnerships in the construction of schools will also be considered tomorrow. Essentially we would like to ascertain how effective PPPs are as a method of building and managing school buildings. What type of liaison between the Department and the National Development Finance Agency takes place in relation to the education PPPs?
“Among the other issues which are likely to be addressed tomorrow are: legal fees paid by the Department in relation to commissions and enquiries, such as the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse; the School Transport Scheme; temporary school accommodation; and the suspension of summer works and minor works schemes.”
This meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 at 10am tomorrow, Thursday, 27th February 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee of Public Accounts Membership
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Gerald Nash,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross.