Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to receive the report commissioned from the Comptroller and Auditor General into the effectiveness of FÁS's financial management and control systems; if pending the receipt of the report, she will take action arising from allegations of financial irregularities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13357/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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This question should have been taken with Question No. 33.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is very similar to the previous question. Will I read the reply into the record?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The question is on its own.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is the same answer.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If it is the same answer, there is no point in reading it again.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I would not impose on the Minister of State. I know Mr. Eddie Sullivan is in there.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a very good answer.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure it is an exceptional answer.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Earlier, I spoke of Lannigan's ball and I was right. I understand Mr. Sullivan is the acting director general of FÁS at present. When does the Minister of State intend to set up interviews for appointing a director general who will obviously have to take on board the numerous recommendations of the Committee of Public Accounts? When does the Minister of State anticipate that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report will be available to him? I appreciate he cannot comment on something he has not read. Is there any indication of when that report might become available to the Government and other Members?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The appointment of the new director general of FÁS will be made today. Interviews have been finalised such that there will be an announcement on that issue.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I am running very fast to stay still.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is asking all the right questions. Putting a deadline on the report would not be possible. We must understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General is a constitutional position. When requested, he agreed to do this. Out of respect to the Committee of Public Accounts, which was investigating the issue at the time, he decided to await its findings. FÁS is implementing some of the PAC's recommendations.

When the report is finalised, we will have a full and frank discussion in which many of its aspects can be taken on board. It would not be fair or possible to request a timeline, as this detailed and wide-ranging analysis and investigation of FÁS will take time. Once the report is published, I am sure everyone will comment on it.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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I acknowledge the good work of the many people at ground level in FÁS.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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People are facing pay cuts and higher taxes. People on training schemes are not paid well, nor are most FÁS workers on the ground. In this context, is the remuneration package of the director general of FÁS, which is worth more than €200,000, not excessive and inappropriate? Should the Minister of State not announce that the chief executive's salary will be capped at, for example, the level of a Minister of State? This should be made clear in order that people interviewing for the job will not be under the illusion that they might get a highly paid job presiding over an agency staffed by people who are not particularly well paid and trainees who are paid appallingly.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The setting of remuneration for such a position is a matter for the Department of Finance. Given the backdrop, people are trying to make sacrifices to ensure the broader public buys into our attempts to face current challenges. In light of how things are going, someone might not take the job were he or she paid a Minister of State's salary.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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It is a slash and burn approach.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand Deputy Varadkar's opinions, which are being echoed elsewhere. People are conscious of the need for remunerative packages to be set in accordance with our current backdrop.