Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

This has now been carried out.

In terms of supervision of any agency it is important that a parent Department should satisfy itself that systems are in place to effectively manage public funds. However, this should not be interpreted as Departments having to take onto themselves responsibilities that properly belong to the bodies concerned. That is why, in addition to my Department's monitoring of activities, the second mechanism for ensuring adherence to the requirements of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies is so important. My Department ensures this is achieved through the assurances in the FÁS annual report each year that steps have been taken to ensure an appropriate control environment. This is in line with Department of Finance guidelines that require that Accounting Officers should satisfy themselves that the requirements of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies are being implemented in State bodies under their aegis.

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