Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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980. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment 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. [46089/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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My Department complies with the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This Circular sets out the public financial rules to be followed in the management of grant funding and requires that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. I am satisfied that sufficient safeguards are in place to ensure proper accountability in the management of grant funding disbursed by my Department.  Within my Department, the majority of grant funding is provided to State bodies, all of which operate in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, their respective legislation and Performance Delivery Agreements, where appropriate. 

My Department also ensures that, in the case of the provision of Exchequer funding to other organisations, a Service Level Agreement, Grant Agreement or a Memorandum of Understanding is in place to ensure that funds are accounted for and properly managed.

At present there are two official credit card holders on my Department's account. There are robust procedures in place in my Department governing the use of credit cards, and all credit card bills are checked, certified and approved for payment at Principal Officer level.