Written answers

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Departmental Bodies Reports

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which she received a report by the Garda internal audit section that covers financial transactions at the Garda training college for the period 2009 to 2015; the reason she did not bring this report to Dáil Éireann; if she is satisfied that no misappropriation of public moneys has taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12244/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The report to which the Deputy refers is a draft interim Internal Audit Report of the financial procedures in the Garda College prepared by the Internal Audit Section of An Garda Síochána. My Department received a copy of the draft report from An Garda Síochána's Head of the Internal Audit on 16 September 2016. I understand that the draft report was sent to all interested parties for their observations before being finalised. This was in accordance with standard practice on reports of this nature.

As I have stated previously, I would of course be concerned by any irregularity in audits and accounting at the Garda College. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and it is, therefore, for her to address the findings and recommendations in the report. While the report remains to be finalised, I understand that the Commissioner has accepted in principle its findings and that steps are in train to address the recommendations. In particular, a Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer and including a representative of my Department, has been established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations. In addition, I understand that the Policing Authority considered this matter at its January meeting with the Garda Síochána and has requested that the final report be furnished to it once it is available.

In the normal course it can also be expected that the final report will be furnished to the Comptroller and Auditor General by the Commissioner for his information and for any further enquiries he may wish to make.

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