Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

573. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will resume funding for an organisation (details suppled); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10910/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In early 2021, my Department received a report of concerns regarding the financial management and governance of funding provided by my Department to the organisation in question.  The concerns were also reported to the Charities Regulator at the same time. 

My officials treated these concerns with the utmost seriousness and alerted An Garda Síochána who confirmed the complaints did not disclose any criminal offences.  At the same time, funding for 2021 was put on hold and unspent funding that the organisation had received in 2020 was returned to my Department.  

My Department’s Internal Audit Unit conducted an audit of the financial management procedures in place in the organisation.  The audit examined the effectiveness of the internal financial controls. No instances of fraud or irregularities were identified from the audit work carried out. 

The Internal Audit Unit has made 11 recommendations which must be implemented by the organisation and which, if addressed satisfactorily, will ensure a greater level of control over the operation of the organisation by its Board. This would also provide a greater level of assurance to the Department in relation to the consideration of any future grant funding to the charity.

The organisation in question have reported they are working to put the necessary procedures and policies into effect.