Ms Niamh O'Donoghue:

It is extraordinary and that is why we have moved very quickly - now that we have responsibility for the relevant operations - to put in place the same level of controls we have in place in respect of the remainder of our payment functions. The Deputy will be glad to hear that we have done a number of things. We have drawn up control checklists and requirements for officers working in the community welfare service and instituted new training for them on an ongoing basis. Our internal control unit is now monitoring local management audit checks on a monthly basis. In addition, quarterly compliance reports must be made to divisional managers. The unit has completed inspections at over 23 locations and six internal control staff briefings have been held throughout the country. Furthermore, the unit has carried out 12 reviews of community welfare services since January 2012 and while a number of areas have been identified for improvement - recommendations have been implemented in this regard - an assurance has also been given that the kind of issues identified in the cases in question are not widespread.