Departmental Agencies.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2008

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Ceisteanna (52)

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

40 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the criticism expressed by the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding the failure of FÁS to achieve value for money in its dealings with its principal advertising agency as well as misdirecting FÁS funds on a website project; if he has raised these matters with the FÁS board; the response she has received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23955/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The criticisms referred to by the Deputy relate to a report dealing with a number of issues which arose in recent audits of Non-Commercial Semi-State Bodies, including FÁS. I have discussed the matter with the Director General of FÁS and the issue has also been raised at a recent meeting of the FÁS Board.

The issues referred to by the Comptroller and Auditor General had been previously identified in a report by the FÁS Internal Audit Unit which was subsequently forwarded by FÁS to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The issues identified in the report arose in the period 2002-2005.

FÁS has taken a number of steps in response to its internal audit report, on which the Comptroller and Auditor General's report is based, by strengthening its procedures and internal financial controls.

Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 25.