KWETB report reveals procurement breaches
BREACHES in procurement guidelines and other criticisms of the operation of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) during the term of former chief executive Sean Ashe are highlighted in a report from the State spending watchdog.
The final report from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) into financial matters at KWETB was published this week.
One key concern raised was a number of contracts awarded to a firm for heating, boiler upgrade and boiler and plat maintenance. It was only after the C&AG audit was under way when Mr Ashe confirmed that a family member had an interest in the firm which was awarded the contracts. Mr Ashe retired in December of 2017.
In October 2017, the Minister for Education and Skills,Richard Bruton T.D., commissioned the first investigation to be carried out under Section 40 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. The investigation was carried out by Dr Richard Thorn and his final report was submitted to the Minister in July 2018. That report made 23 findings and 15 recommendations to be implemented by the ETB. Matters were also referred to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau
The final C&AG report also flags a num- ber of other concerns.
The C&AG said the sole and exclusive focus of his report was KWETB and ‘for the avoidance of doubt this report does not make any criticism or comments, whether express or implied, with respect to staff members or any third party’.
The report also found that KWETB rented an industrial property in 2015 which it turned out was partially licensed to the same firm connected to Mr Ashe.
The report states: ‘ There was inadequate documentation of the on-licensing arrangements — rent and service costs were only paid to KWETB after concerns were raised by the audit’.
It was also found that the KWETB disposed of a van in January 2017 but didn’t receive any payment, until questions were asked as the audit was being carried out. A full year’s motor tax was also paid by the KWETB just before the can was disposed of.
Poor contract management was held as responsible for additional costs of €483,000 over the construction of Glenart College in Arklow. Modular classrooms were installed in Naas Community College in April of 2015 at a cost of €206,000. These classrooms were relocated to Maynooth Post Primary School three months later at a cost of €73,000.
KWETB incurred significant costs with regards to certain hotels without a competitive procurement process.
KWETB spent €61,550 on hotels during 2015, with one third of that spend going toward a five star hotel and golf resort, including €10,540 for one event. No list of the attendees was maintained. The cost paid included full board accommodation and there was no evidence of quotes received beforehand.
The report also concludes that the KWETB board was unable to challenge the executive in an effective way during 2015.
‘Underlying causes for this include incomplete information being provided to the board, delay in the establishment of statutory sub-committees and a lack of internal audit resources. An effective process for review of internal controls was not in place. Additionally, KWETB did not actively pursue the non-submission of declarations of interest, nor did it critically review the content of declarations. More generally, while a key function of the boards of ETBs is oversight of their executives, they are heavily dependent on their executives in the exercise of that function,’ the report said.