Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

Following the OPW chairman's report on the bike shelter and his appearance before the Oireachtas committee, he was frank in acknowledging the overall cost of delivering the covered bike shelter at Leinster House was unacceptable in the wider context of value for money and value for the taxpayer. Following his commitment to learn from the bike shelter project, the chairman wanted independent assurance on the practice relating to capital projects under €500,000. In addition, he widened the scope of external review to include the wider internal audit process within the OPW with a view to making improvements. I welcome the published report, which presents internal audit findings, control recommendations and management response. The audit report makes a number of recommendations about control measures that will enhance capital expenditure practice for these projects. The OPW has internally accepted the implementation of the recommendations in the report. The new guidance approval and oversight of smaller capital projects is now being implemented across the OPW. The management board will review and drive the implementation of the internal audit recommendation to ensure we continue to improve our approach. The commitment to robust governance of the internal audit function within the OPW has been further strengthened by the appointment of an additional member of its team and a head of internal audit principal officer.

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