Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Educational Body Investigation.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

361 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made for an investigation into the affairs of an educational body (details supplied) regarding information supplied to his Department about the use of a garage facility and vehicle repair operation at a college (details supplied); the result of investigations, if any, carried out by his predecessor; the method of and operation of staff appointments; the award of all contracts and tender policy; the finance collected by staff from pupils; the location of these funds via Balbriggan and other north County Dublin banks; if these funds were notified by the chief executive officer to the Department and the person who conducted the audit and certified these funds; the results, if any, of Garda investigation into the robbery of a reported £10,000 from the safe at the college; the way in which £10,000 was accumulated by the body; the origin of this money and the way in which it was collected; the location to where the cars were removed from the garage complex; if he will have arrangements made to interview all staff and parent representatives in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Anonymous allegations relating to some of the issues raised by the Deputy were brought to my Department's attention in August 1996. In turn, my Department brought these allegations to the attention of the Revenue Commissioners as the principal allegations then raised fell within the remit of that body. Subsequently, the allegations were referred to the vocational education committee for investigation and report to the Department. Some of the allegations in question were also brought to the attention of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office which, as the Deputy is aware, has statutory responsibility for the adult of vocational education committee accounts.

An interim report has been received from the vocational education committee. As the Deputy's question raises additional issues which were not part of the earlier anonymous allegations, my Department is seeking a further report from the vocational education committee on these matters.