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29/01/2010
FÁS Spending Could Be 'Criminal Activity'
The former head of the FÁS audit committee Niall Saul has said revelations emerging from inquiries into spending at the training agency could constitute "criminal activity".
A report published yesterday by the audit committee brought further revelations of ostentatious and uncontrolled spending at the maligned State training agency.
The inquiry found FAS executives booked flights worth almost €1m outside approved procedures among other examples of spending without authorisation.
Today, Opposition party Fine Gael have said accused "shady managers" who ran sections of FÁS of transforming it into an agency for "Fun And Sun", and said that the report had revealed Fianna Fáil Ministers handed fromer CEO Rody Molloy a €892,000 "golden handshake".
Leo Varadkar, Enterprise Trade Employment spokesman for Fine Gael said: “Sadly, these revelations will further undermine the good work done by so many of the 2,000 FÁS trainers and staff members working on the ground. Government Ministers and executives owe them an explanation and an apology.
“The Tánaiste must give an assurance that all the recommendations in the C&AG report will be implemented.
“The timing of this report is sinister, coinciding with the deliberations of a high-profile legal trial. The Tánaiste has had this report for a number of weeks. I believe her decision to release the report at this time was a deliberate attempt to stifle its findings. Calamity Coughlan has turned into Cover-up Coughlan.”
(DW/BMcC)
A report published yesterday by the audit committee brought further revelations of ostentatious and uncontrolled spending at the maligned State training agency.
The inquiry found FAS executives booked flights worth almost €1m outside approved procedures among other examples of spending without authorisation.
Today, Opposition party Fine Gael have said accused "shady managers" who ran sections of FÁS of transforming it into an agency for "Fun And Sun", and said that the report had revealed Fianna Fáil Ministers handed fromer CEO Rody Molloy a €892,000 "golden handshake".
Leo Varadkar, Enterprise Trade Employment spokesman for Fine Gael said: “Sadly, these revelations will further undermine the good work done by so many of the 2,000 FÁS trainers and staff members working on the ground. Government Ministers and executives owe them an explanation and an apology.
“The Tánaiste must give an assurance that all the recommendations in the C&AG report will be implemented.
“The timing of this report is sinister, coinciding with the deliberations of a high-profile legal trial. The Tánaiste has had this report for a number of weeks. I believe her decision to release the report at this time was a deliberate attempt to stifle its findings. Calamity Coughlan has turned into Cover-up Coughlan.”
(DW/BMcC)
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19 February 2009
FÁS Breached Financial Procedures Says Report
The national training organisation, FÁS has been found in breach of financial and foreign travel procedures, in a report published today. The report from the Public Accounts Regulator has found the state agency was spending over the odds, and at a huge cost to the taxpayer.
FÁS Breached Financial Procedures Says Report
The national training organisation, FÁS has been found in breach of financial and foreign travel procedures, in a report published today. The report from the Public Accounts Regulator has found the state agency was spending over the odds, and at a huge cost to the taxpayer.
08 December 2008
Fine Gael Call For Govt To Publish EC Report On FÁS
Fine Gael has called on the government to publish a 2002 European Commission report, which is believed to have warned of serious financial mismanagement within FÁS.
Fine Gael Call For Govt To Publish EC Report On FÁS
Fine Gael has called on the government to publish a 2002 European Commission report, which is believed to have warned of serious financial mismanagement within FÁS.
10 September 2009
Reform Of FÁS Practices 'Underway'
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan has said work is already underway to address bad practice at FÁS. Mary Coughlan was responding to a report published today from the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighting wasteful spending on advertising and promotion by the state training agency.
Reform Of FÁS Practices 'Underway'
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan has said work is already underway to address bad practice at FÁS. Mary Coughlan was responding to a report published today from the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighting wasteful spending on advertising and promotion by the state training agency.
23 September 2008
Coughlan Orders Review Of FÁS Spending
The Tánaiste has ordered a review into the management of FÁS following concern over irregularity in the agency's spending controls. It is believed Mary Coughlan has asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to look into the matter following a series of critical reports.
Coughlan Orders Review Of FÁS Spending
The Tánaiste has ordered a review into the management of FÁS following concern over irregularity in the agency's spending controls. It is believed Mary Coughlan has asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to look into the matter following a series of critical reports.
25 September 2009
Ex-Fás Chief 'Golden-Handshake' Probed
The Tanaiste has revealed that Rody Molloy, who resigned from Fás in a blaze of controversy, will be investigated in what may lead to criminal charges.
Ex-Fás Chief 'Golden-Handshake' Probed
The Tanaiste has revealed that Rody Molloy, who resigned from Fás in a blaze of controversy, will be investigated in what may lead to criminal charges.
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