Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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908. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that grant aided organisations are spending their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to organisations funded by his Department; if so, the action he has taken; if his Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46086/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that all funding is provided by my Department on condition that it is used for the specific purpose intended and that there is compliance with the Statement of Principles as set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014: Management and of Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds, and/or is subject to the Department’s appropriate oversight and verification checks of organisations in receipt of grants. 

In relation to seven of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, outlined below, which are in receipt of annual funding, my Department is implementing an Oversight and Performance Agreement with the Bodies under which they are required to give assurance of adherence to the terms and conditions of the DPER Circular: 13/2014.

- Bord Bia

- Bord Iascaigh Mhara

- Bord na gCon

- Horse Racing Ireland

- Marine Institute

- Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

- Teagasc

From time to time there have been queries in relation to Animal Welfare organisations in receipt of funding from my Department. These have been followed up, as appropriate, and resolved. All recipients of ex-gratia payments in 2016 were subject to an inspection by Department Veterinary Inspectors and a number of them were audited by my Department's Animal Health and Welfare Division.

My Department does not issue credit cards to any Organisation.

As regards the issuing of credit cards by the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves.  Should the Deputy require any further information from them, my Department has supplied, as requested, details of the dedicated email addresses for State Bodies, to the Clerk of Dáil Éireann, for the information of Oireachtas members.