Written answers

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda College

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of communications, orally or written, her Department has had with An Garda Síochána on audit reports into Templemore Garda College. [17232/17]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when her attention was first drawn to the audit report published on 29 March 2017 into Templemore Garda College. [17233/17]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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85. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the attention of her Department was first drawn to the audit report published 29 March 2017 into Templemore Garda College. [17234/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 85, inclusive, together.

The report to which the Deputy refers is an 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. My Department has been in ongoing communication with Garda management in relation to the Report since receipt of the draft.

A copy of the final Report was received by my Department from the Garda Commissioner on 27 March 2017 and was forwarded for my attention by way of submission from my officials on 28 March 2017.

The Report raises serious issues in relation to accounting practices and procedures in the Garda College that must be addressed comprehensively. Some of the main issues of concern highlighted by the Report include the manner in which the College was run, the existence of a large number of bank accounts and investment accounts linked to the College, staffing issues and issues relating to the ownership and use of certain lands. These are serious issues in relation to governance and accountability in the College that must be addressed comprehensively and the Garda Commissioner, as the Accounting Officer for the purposes of the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts, must take the lead role in this regard.

I have been assured that the Garda authorities recognise the gravity of the issues raised and that they are taking proactive steps to progress the recommendations in the Report. In particular, a Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Administrative Officer and including a representative the Department of Justice and Equality, has been established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and external governance expertise and auditors have been engaged.

I am informed that there are several aspects to the implementation of the recommendations that require further consideration to ensure that there is a full understanding of the extent of the issues identified and the implications of the actions required to put the appropriate governance structures and financial and operational processes and procedures in place in the College to address fully the recommendations and the future development of the College. This work is ongoing.

In view of the gravity of the issues raised, I requested the Policing Authority on 29 March 2017 to oversee the implementation of the Report's recommendations and to report back to me on a quarterly basis in relation to progress being made.

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