Professor Brian Norton:

There is a note at the end of the appendix to our submission which details particular incidents around training and accommodation for the Science Without Borders programme. We were particularly exposed in this regard in that other institutions had student accommodation into which they could place students but because DIT does not own any student accommodation we had to enter into arrangements at short notice, which was shorter notice than would be required by the appropriate procurement process. We did go to three tenders but there is a more elaborate process required. The appropriate tender process was not entered into.

I should also point out that we have had a major problem in regard to staffing in this area. We are located in the centre of Dublin and our procurement specialists have been recruited by the expansion of the Office of Government Procurement and so we have had a very high staff turnover. DIT and the other agencies are now fully staffed. In the year in question the amount in respect of non-compliance was €5.1 million.

That was subsequently reduced to €3.4 million and €2.87 million. We have more work to do. It is still not good enough but we are moving in the right direction. We have looked at our process, route and branch, and applied appropriate staffing to the exercise.