Written answers

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details and a detailed breakdown of the total spend since its establishment of Qualifications and Quality Ireland on external consultants, external advisers, hotels and other expenses associated with training for staff, invited speakers to address staff meetings, legal and other professional fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) was established in November 2012. In the 20 month period since its establishment, QQI has incurred the following expenditure.

External consultants and professional services expenditure was as follows: €5,748 outsourced fixed asset maintenance; €8,925 related to project management advice and support; €14,365 related to single expert for EQF NCP Grant; €9,791 related to public service pension advices; €13,961 related to architect fees and flood damage; €54,796, public relations and media management; €18,250 related to branding and design services; €54,769 related to policy development and implementation support; €385,532 related to ICT; €9,841 other.

Audit costs amounted to €93,151 of which €62,040 were auditor fees paid to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of the audits of the cessation accounts for QQI's legacy bodies, HETAC, FETAC and the NQAI, and outstanding fees for the 2012 audits of the legacy agencies.

Accountancy fees amounted to €358,647. QQI's accountancy services are largely outsourced. In 2013 there were three sets of cessation accounts to be prepared. These services were also required for the support of the C&AG audits of the cessation accounts of HETAC, FETAC and NQAI. Accountancy services were also required for the establishment of QQI which included the introduction of a new accountancy package. There were two legacy accountancy firms in place until June 2013 and following a tendering process new accountants were appointed in September 2013 who now provide routine end-of-month services, preparation of the annual financial statements, preparation of the annual C&G audit file and resources to cover for staff on long term absences. Also included under accountancy is the outsourced payroll services. Other costs incurred included additions to the accountancy system to streamline processes including SEPA payments and file uploads that had been carried out manually.

Legal Fees amounted to €61,718 of which €31,660 related to legacy fees relating to a High Court hearing.

Staff Development costs amounted to €149,615. This comprised €133,597 for training and development (including €9,328 for hotel expenses associated with venues for all-staff events and an on-going development programme for the senior management team) and €16,017 for educational assistance.

With regard to costs arising from speakers to address staff meetings, QQI recently engaged a professional speaker to organise and deliver a full-day course for all staff, which was delivered for three days. While QQI has not yet been invoiced for this service, it is understood the cost will be in the region of €7,000 to €8,000.

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