Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have been raising the issue of profiteering within the IPAS system since I was an MEP almost a decade ago. I raised it as a member of the Committee of Public Accounts. The Minister of State said we spent €1 billion on IPAS accommodation last year. What he did not say was that most of that money was paid to private operations. He did not answer the question as to whether he agreed there was a need for a value for money audit and full scrutiny of those IPAS contracts.

There are serious questions. Do we know, for example, how many providers that are making millions of euro actually acquired the properties being used at a discount through NAMA? Do we know how many newly established companies that have no track record secured these types of contract? How do we have a situation where companies have just completely repurposed overnight? We have had a small café becoming one of the largest financial beneficiaries of IPAS contracts.

Do we know how many companies, benefiting to the tune of millions from what is a flawed system, are located or owned by corporations outside of the State? These are serious questions, and when talking about €1 billion of public money, the public has a right to answers. The Minister of State has not given clarification as to whether a review of the public expenditure accounts will be carried out. Will he do so?

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