Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in relation to programmes or other activities delivered by or on behalf of her Department, problems have arisen with an organisation (details supplied); if in the event that there have been such problems, she will describe their nature and detail, in particular, all aspects that involve funding allocations that were either paid or committed to that organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2801/09]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature and consequences of legal or other advices that she or her Department sought or received in relation to an organisation (details supplied); the action carried out by the internal audit function of her Department as well as the nature and consequences of any other audits or control procedures that were commissioned or undertaken within her Department, by associated agencies or otherwise and that involved the activities of this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2802/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.

My Department has provided funding, both directly and through Government agencies, to the organisation in question for the management and delivery of programmes and activities and the organisation is therefore accountable to my Department in this regard. In the normal course of events, issues with regard to the delivery of such programmes and activities have at times arisen and have in the majority of cases been resolved to the satisfaction of the relevant Government agencies and my Department.

However, my Department is currently engaged in seeking to resolve an issue relating to the provision of ESF co-financing to the organisation in question. My Department is responsible for the management and implementation of the European Social Fund co-financed EQUAL Community Initiative 2000-2006 through the EQUAL Managing Authority. The organisation in question was the Designate Lead Partner for a project that received EU funding under the EQUAL Community Initiative. Following an ESF Financial Control Unit audit (based in my Department) in 2006 a number of issues arose regarding the administration of the project.

Following legal advice received from the Office of the Attorney General, my Department has issued proceedings in the High Court by way of Summary Summons against the organisation concerned seeking the recovery of funding relating to this project. As this matter is currently before the court, my Department is not in a position to comment further as to do so might encroach upon the functions of the court.