Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of current inquiries by FÁS with regard to scheme sponsors that are raising their own revenue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8030/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following the reductions in the CE training and materials grant announced in the Budget, the Department of Social Protection commenced a review of the financial resources of individual schemes. This review is scheduled to be completed by the end of March

All sponsors have been contacted by Department officers at local level to brief them on the review, discuss their returns and deal with any queries that the sponsors may have. The submissions will be made to these officers.

As this is a financial review, and given the requirement for savings, all possible sources of income/funding for the project must be identified. Many projects receive funding/income from different sources and may not require the same level of assistance as others. The review is to ensure that those projects that require the most assistance can be identified.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason FÁS offices require bank details of community employment projects, in view of the fact that the CE schemes are private companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8031/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following the reductions in the CE training and materials grant announced in the Budget, the Department of Social Protection commenced a review of the financial resources of individual schemes. This review is scheduled to be completed by the end of March

All sponsors have been contacted by Department officers at local level to brief them on the review, discuss their returns and deal with any queries that the sponsors may have. The submissions will be made to these officers.

As part of the contract between my Department and CE sponsors full details of the sponsor's CE bank account must be available for monitoring and control purposes. Significant advances from public funds are paid into CE sponsors bank accounts and my officials have a duty of care for these taxpayer's funds. In addition the requirements of the Company Registration Office ensure that the amount of funds in the bank accounts of CE sponsors must be returned on an annual basis.

As this is a financial review, and given the requirement for savings, all possible sources of income/funding for the project must be identified.