The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it is "alarmed" at the "range and depth of the ongoing weaknesses" evident in the management of public finances outlined in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) released today.
In a statement, the chairman of the PAC, Mr John Perry, said there are clearly "many problem areas" that need to be tackled before the Irish taxpayer can be assured that public funds are being used to good effect.
"The committee is disturbed to read of the likes of lapses in financial control, poor estimation of the costs of policy implementation and inadequate planning of capital projects, all of which are contributing to an unnecessary extra burden for the public finances at a time when parts of the health and education sectors . . . are crying out for additional resources," Mr Perry said.
"As in previous years these weaknesses will be reviewed in detail by the committee and recommendations will be made to effect greater protection of taxpayers' interests and to promote better financial management."
Mr Perry said the PAC intended to get to the bottom of these matters starting on Thursday, when it will examine the potential cost to the State of the redress scheme for victims of child abuse.
It will also examine the events surrounding the agreement with the religious orders on their contribution to the costs of the scheme.
"The committee will be visiting the various issues raised in the report with a view to ensuring that lessons have been learnt by all concerned and that remedial action is being taken to protect the public purse going forward," Mr Perry said.