PAC hits out at OPW over ‘serious failure’ to monitor its land near Templemore
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticised the “serious failure” of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to monitor the use of its land which was being rented out by gardaí near the training college in Templemore.
Garda auditors found that €124,903 collected for the rental of Dromard Farm between 2009 and 2013 was lodged to a college account, instead of being forwarded to the OPW.
While the PAC report was highly critical on how Garda management handled concerns over financial irregularities at Templemore, the OPW also came in for criticism.
It says: “There was a serious failure by the OPW to adequately monitor and control the use of such land for which it is ultimately responsible.
“This highlights a very worrying weakness in the management of State assets.”
Previously, OPW chairman Maurice Buckley wrote to TDs to say the situation in relation to Dromard Farm was “unfortunate” and “should not have arisen”. He said he examined the issue and “can only conclude what arose was because of an administrative oversight when a file was being moved from an active project status to a discontinued status”.
He said: “Such an occurrence can never be deemed satisfactory.” He added he was examining ways systems could be “further strengthened to ensure a non-recurrence”.
According to an interim report on Templemore’s finances carried out by Garda auditors, the land had been bought by the OPW in 2007. The intention was to develop a tactical training centre, but the economic crash meant that did not go ahead, and a decision was taken to rent the land to farmers.
The Garda audit found €124,903 in rent went into the “Garda College Restaurant Account” instead of being sent to the OPW and recommended that the money be paid back.
This sum was later revised upwards to €131,260 after records were provided by the auctioneer who administered the rental of the land. An OPW spokeswoman confirmed all monies raised through the letting of the land had now been paid to the agency.
She said “revised work practices” were now in place to ensure lease and licence arrangements were “fully in order” and that the agency’s own internal auditors “closely monitor” these agreements.