Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Departmental Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/04]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a dedicated independent internal audit unit in place with four staff members, whose primary function is to review and report on the adequacy and application of the Department's internal controls, including the financial arrangements in place in the Department for the assessment and monitoring of the day to day spend for all programmes and projects.

The work of the internal audit unit is overseen by an independent audit committee, of which both the chairperson and an ordinary member have accountancy qualifications. Responsibility for the ongoing monitoring and assessment of the day-to-day spend and project progress in the Department is primarily the responsibility of the principal officer in whose area of responsibility that expenditure has been incurred, consistent with delegations made under the PSMA.

In tandem with this the finance unit of my Department with four members of staff, undertake an overall co-ordination role in relation to the monitoring, supervision and assessment of the day-to-day spend across the Department, including on major projects.

The Department employs a chartered accountant on a contract basis who has primarily been involved in the installation and development of the Department's MIF system. This system has provided the Department with enhanced financial and non-financial systems and practices including the provision of accurate and up to date quality management information in relation to expenditure by the Department.

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