Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Department of Agriculture and Food

Departmental Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a dedicated auditing unit in her Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of her Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26848/04]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a dedicated internal audit unit in the Department. The role of the internal audit unit is to give assurance as to the adequacy of my Department's internal control systems. This is done through the performance of systems audits of the Department's expenditure. The internal audit unit also has certain prescribed duties under a number of EU regulations. The internal audit unit has 21 staff, four of whom have accountancy qualifications, two chartered accountants, a CIPFA accountant and an accounting technician. In addition, the unit also has a qualified information technology systems auditor and a postgraduate with a master's degree in agricultural science. All staff of the internal audit receive dedicated internal audit unit training provided either by the Civil Service training and development centre or the Institute of Public Administration.

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