Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 7

Written Answers. - Westmeath Vocational Education Committee Figures.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

164 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the audited figures for Westmeath Vocational Educational Committee for 1993 are available; if not the reason for the delay; the way in which the monthly returns for 1993 were within limits and the annual return showed a considerable overrun; the persons responsible for such returns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4319/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The audited figures for County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee for 1993 are not yet available. The Local Government auditors visited County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee late in 1994 to carry out the 1993 audit. The audit report has not yet been completed.The Local Government auditor is responsible for the scheduling of each vocational education committee for audit.

The monthly financial returns for 1993 showed that County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee would remain within budget on the main financial scheme. However, the 1993 statutory annual financial return, V15, which was received in April 1994 showed that the vocational education committee had exceeded the main financial scheme budget by £79,000. The total deficit at the end of 1993 amounted to £450,000. However, this figure may change following the completion of the audit. Under the Vocational Education (Accounts, Audit and Procedure) Regulations, 1931 it is the responsibility of the chief executive officer to prepare and send to the Minister the monthly financial statement and the annual return.

As stated in the House previously, I was greatly concerned at these developments in the County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee and at their implications for the effectiveness of the County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee financial management and control procedures generally.

My Department brought these matters to the attention of the Local Government Auditor who is responsible for the audit of accounts of vocational education committees until the end of 1993.

In June 1994, I appointed an inspector to carry out an investigation into the operation of its financial scheme by County Westmeath Vocational Education Committee. Before reaching any conclusions on the findings of the inspector's report, it was decided to apprise both the vocational education committee and the acting chief executive officer of the findings of the inspector and seek their views. Their responses have now been received and are being considered in my Department. To allay fears concerning the future financial management in the vocational education committee, my Department recently sanctioned the engagement of a firm of accountants by the vocational education committee with the brief to review and install appropriate systems for financial control in the vocational education committee.