Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 79: 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 financial management and control systems in FÁS; 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. [7271/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Comptroller and Auditor General has commenced his wide-ranging investigation in FÁS, which includes internal controls, governance arrangements, marketing and advertising and specific follow-up of a number of matters raised in the course of hearings of the Committee of Public Accounts. The question of when the examination will be completed and when a report will be made available are matters for the Comptroller and Auditor General.

In the interim, since the publication of the earlier reports a series of steps have been undertaken to deal with the matters raised. In particular:

FÁS has clarified its procedures and strengthened its internal controls;

An internal cross-functional communications and marketing strategy group has been established in FÁS;

A new Director General has been appointed on a temporary basis;

A review of the Science Challenge Initiative with a view to making recommendations on the Initiative's future is currently underway, and the report will be available shortly.