Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has satisfied herself that the board at an institute of education (details supplied) has always acted in a responsible manner regarding staff relations, public funding and the general running of the college. [15730/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the loss of quality staff at an institute of education (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15731/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has satisfied herself with the spending of taxpayers' money at institutes of education (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if all funds are accounted for in a professional manner. [15732/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 197, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is well aware, the head of the college covered by the Deputy's questions, resigned from that position on Friday, 29 April. Arising from this development and various related matters I have asked that one of the country's leading independent accountancy firms examine the question of the use of moneys paid by my Department to the institution in question. I have also asked that a report be prepared as promptly as possible and that the outcome be presented to me once completed. I intend to make its findings public. At this stage, there is nothing to show that funding provided by my Department to the institution in question has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, but it is important to secure confirmation that this is the case.

I also commend the staff of the institution in question and acknowledge that they are ensuring that the education of students is of paramount importance. Despite the current difficulties at the institution, they continue to provide a properly professional service to students. I have been assured that the lectures, teaching practice and examinations are proceeding as planned.

The recent reported difficulties at the institution in question relate to the employee-employer relationship between the head of the college and that person's employers, which, I understand, were subject to legal proceedings. In this regard, it is not considered appropriate for me to make any comment on them.

Apart from the provision of funding, my Department also has a role regarding the quality of graduates from the college. This role is similar to its role vis-À-vis other State-supported colleges of this nature. My Department's inspectorate actively monitors the quality of the graduates on an ongoing basis to ensure that the highest quality students graduate from all colleges of this nature. This is a well-established monitoring process and one, which has worked very well.

Senior officials from my Department met the trustees and a number of members of the board of governors of the institute in question yesterday and have been assured by them that all monies provided by my Department have been applied for the purpose for which they are allocated.