Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Public Accounts Committee

Financial Statements of the Higher Education Authority 2013
General Report No. 85 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Accountability and Governance on the National College of Art and Design

10:00 am

Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

Yes, of course we have a role to be reported on in how they are dealing with it. If we have views that they are not effective, we have a role to work it out further. This is why we are seeking to ensure that the system we will have in place is more effective. Mr. Boland mentioned the concept of spot checks. Some system issues have come up here which go beyond being informed by institutions, and even more speedily than the accounts are completed. We are looking at those issues. We obviously directly fund a number of agencies. We are looking at introducing the concept of spot checks in addition to the returns that are made in order that we have the power to make spot checks. We have found that spot checks in the buildings area have been helpful even though compliance was a matter for engagement with the likes of Revenue, the Department of Social Protection and NERA. We are advancing the concept of spot checks. Mr. Boland mentioned that in the context of the HEA. We are looking at strengthening our systems arising from that.