Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he has taken on foot of the recently published Comptroller and Auditor General report to ensure expenditure occurs in the best interests of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38158/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The focus of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is on well-managed and well-targeted public spending, through modernised, effective and accountable public services. The recently published Comptroller and Auditor General Report on the 'Accounts of the Public Service 2013' is part of the wider accountability framework for the delivery of these services.

The report in question is concerned with the accountability of departments and offices in respect of their administration of public funds. As outlined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, it was prepared on the basis of audited information, where available, and other information, documentation and explanations obtained from the relevant government departments and offices. Drafts of relevant parts of the Report were sent to the departments and offices concerned and their comments were requested. Where appropriate, those comments are incorporated into the Report. As such, the Report itself contains information on the actions being taken across the relevant Departments on foot of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General. In this context, the majority of the recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General have been agreed by the relevant Accounting Officers and indeed, where appropriate, by my own Department.

In due course, the Committee of Public Accounts will examine and report to Dáil Éireann on this Report and my Department will prepare a formal response to the recommendations, (the 'Minute of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform') in consultation with the departments and offices concerned.