Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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50. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the State should have a representative on the board of an organisation (details supplied) to protect the interests of taxpayers. [18785/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I have no plans at the present time to have a representative on the board of Scouting Ireland. Scouting Ireland is one of a number of youth organisations funded by my Department and each funded organisation must comply with strict governance standards including compliance with all legislative obligations.

My Department has a duty of care with regard to public funding and to protect the interest of taxpayers.  All youth organisations in receipt of public funding are required to adhere to the public financial management principles associated with grant funding provided from the public purse.  Youth organisations are notified of their obligations in this regard on receipt of their annual letters of allocation.  In addition youth organisations in receipt of funding under the Youth Service Grant Scheme are subject to random verification visits from Pobal, who administer funding on behalf of my Department.

I met with Scouting Ireland on Thursday 19th April to discuss my concerns in relation to the governance of the organisation.  During the course of that meeting I was informed of the organisation’s plans to reform the governance of the organisation and put new structures in place. I sincerely hope that the organisation will continue to engage effectively to address the outstanding issues relating to the standards of governance within the organisation.