Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is most disappointing when failings in financial controls of the magnitude of those which occurred at WIT are discovered. I assure the Deputy that more stringent controls have been put in place in WIT. In addition, financial controls and audit mechanisms are in place in all higher education institutions. However, the arrangements in this regard vary across these institutions and the HEA is considering whether a more consistent approach should be adopted.

I am a former member of the board of management of my local primary school. One of the positives with regard to our system is that primary schools enjoy a huge degree of autonomy and independence in the context of their governance. However, this brings with it a serious burden of responsibility for members of boards of management. There is also a burden of responsibility on local communities in the context of ensuring that those who are elected or appointed to these boards possess the relevant expertise to allow them to be effective in their work and to identify and cope with issues such as those to which the Deputy refers. I am disappointed that when those on the board of management to which the Deputy refers sought support, advice and guidance from the Department, this was not - in their opinion - made available to them. I undertake to ensure this will not happen again.

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