Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
141. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of meetings her officials have had both internally and externally in relation to the financial management of Templemore training college, in tabular form. [19634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Deputy is referring to meetings held in relation to the issues that are the subject of the Interim Audit Report on Financial Procedures in the Garda College in Templemore, which was published in March 2017.
It is important to say that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and that expenditure in relation to the Garda College and the financial procedures operated at the College are primarily the responsibility of the Commissioner.
My Department met with Garda management in November 2015 to discuss issues that had come to its attention in relation to the College. Following this meeting, a steering group was established, which met on three occasions between December 2015 and September 2016, when the draft interim audit report was finalised. The Group has since been reconstituted to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the final Audit Report and has met on 7 occasions since January 2017.
My Department has also attended two meetings with the Chief State Solicitor's Office and one with the Office of Public Works between November 2016 and April 2017.
