Education board probe is referred to fraud squad

AN INVESTIGATION into the management of an education board has been referred to the Garda fraud squad.

The probe into the running of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board raised concerns over a property deal involving a company linked to a relative of the board’s chief, the Irish Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday.

CEO Seán Ashe retired a week ago after informing board members on October 6 that he would step down on December 31.

His announcement, in October, came days after the Government’s decision to launch an investigation into the body following an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the board’s accounts. The body has a budget of €160million. The confidential draft report for the Government also alleges: improper meddling by the same executive in a school construction project that cost the State an additional €483,000; poor financial management of a motor pool; a catalogue of alleged deviations from procurement guidelines and questionable business practices.

The investigation was launched by Education Minister Richard Bruton on October 2 last year after the C&AG flagged issues relating to building projects, rental properties and the use of the pool of vehicles.

Central to the investigation is a rental property which was a former dog food factory that was later used to train electricians.

Dr Robert Thorn, appointed to undertake the investigation, was asked to ‘consider the performance by the board of its functions, particularly in relation to property procurement, usage and disposal of assets and property.’ The report says it was contacted confidentially by four individuals who wanted to provide information and documents.

Mr Thorn interviewed 13 individuals including Mr Ashe and found there were issues relating to minor building works that were ‘beyond the powers of the investigator to reconcile’ and that it would be referred to the Garda Economic Crime Bureau.

This refers to a building work done as part of a complicated property deal linked to a family member of Mr Ashe. It also refers to the acceleration of a school building project which ultimately cost the State €483,000.

The dog food factory probe looked into rental agreements, rent levels and payments for work done at the factory.

A spokesman for the board told the Irish Mail on Sunday it had engaged and cooperated with the Government investigation.