John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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982. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department's internal audit into the activation and family support programme will be published; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12646/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Internal Audit work of my Department conforms to the standards of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Audit Standards and to the Standards and Ethics of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Internal audit reports are regularly subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Internal audit reports which have been released under FOI are regarded as being in the public domain and can be issued to a subsequent enquirer on request, without the need to use FOI.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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983. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the findings of her Department's audit into the activation and family support programme as leaked in the media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12648/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The role of Internal Audit is to review the Department’s operations on a scheduled basis and to report to senior management on any issues arising. This is an ongoing part of corporate governance within the Department to ensure that internal controls are in place and are working.

When internal audit reports identify issues and make recommendations to correct deficiencies or improve processes, these are considered by senior management and appropriate actions are taken. In this case we can confirm that the recommendations made in the report have been implemented. The review of the AFSP does not give rise to concerns in respect of other programmes.

I wish to correct the Deputy’s statement that the report was leaked. The report was provided to the media in the normal course following a Freedom of Information request.

Internal audit reports are regularly subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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984. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the types of expenses awarded under the activation and family support programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12649/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the Activation and Family Support Programme (AFSP) is to provide for funding to enable the development of training and education initiatives, mainly in conjunction with other organisations and agencies, to assist people who are in receipt of social welfare payments to enhance their employability through education, training and personal development opportunities and to improve their quality of life. The application of the funding is largely responsive to demand identified by local organisations who apply for funding for a project via the DEASP Case Officer. Funding applications come from a wide range of organisations including family resource centres, Partnership and Community development companies and advocacy groups.

Expenditure on the Programme will be deemed eligible where the course being delivered is targeted at jobseekers, in particular those who are long-term unemployed. The course should be restricted to customers of a working age and their adult dependants, considered to be outside the scope of mainstream activation activity. All courses/training must assist the jobseeker’s progression to the labour market. Training should be delivered by trainers who are fully qualified with formally credited qualifications.

AFSP endeavours to develop quick and innovative responses to meet customer needs. Programmes covered can include Pre-Employment Courses, Return to Education courses, Personal Development Programmes etc.

Payments under AFSP are only to be made to a group/organisation following a review of an application by the Case Officer, Area/Divisional Manager and once they are confident that the course has commenced as outlined. No additional allowances or payments for expenses are paid to individual participants of training through AFSP.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.