Marine: seabed survey: The Department of Marine engaged a mediator to resolve issues between two State agencies involved in the national seabed survey, according to the C&AG report.
A "deteriorating relationship" between the Marine Institute and the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) was evident in the course of the seabed survey project, commissioned in 1999, the report states. Such was the extent of difficulties, and the Department of Marine's concern over project credibility and value for money, that a mediator was hired.
As a result, a revised memorandum of understanding was agreed between the two bodies in 2004 and new administrative arrangements were put in place, which included a joint working group with a department official acting as observer.
The C&AG report noted that the survey did not succeed in covering a substantial part of the area envisaged, and there will be a "significant cost to the State" to complete it - estimated at €80 million over a further 20-year period. Lorna Siggins
Social welfare fraud
More than 250 people were prosecuted last year for social welfare fraud. Fifteen employers were also prosecuted for similar offences. Both figures were fractionally down on 2004. Four people were jailed for the offences with a further 25 receiving suspended sentences, including one employer. Most cases were decided by fines or the application of the Probation Act.
A total of 412 cases were forwarded to the Chief State Solicitor for prosecution last year, a 15 per cent fall on the number in 2004.
Although the number of prosecutions is down slightly on 2004, the sums involved were higher. The amount of overpayment obtained or sought came to €1,346,770, compared to €1,116,492 the previous year...Dominic Coyle
Ports
Legal action by one port company had delayed presentation to Government of a performance audit of State port companies, according to the C&AG report.
The audit was commissioned by the Department of Marine in September 2000 under Section 29 of the 1996 Harbours Act, and consultants were recruited to examine the efficiency of port companies in Dublin, Cork, Dún Laoghaire, Shannon Estuary/Foynes, New Ross, Galway and Drogheda, Co Louth.
The report was received from consultants in spring 2001, but a judicial review was sought by former board members and employees of one port company. Legal advice to the department stated that if it wished to present the report to Government, any mention of that particular port company would be deleted. The legal cases were struck out in March 2004 as part of an agreed settlement and the audit was eventually presented to Government in July 2006. The C&AG was informed that the department did not propose to commission any further composite performance audits of all the State port companies. ... Lorna Siggins
TV licence
The C&AG has questioned whether the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) was entitled to receive €26 million from licence fees to fund television production.
According to the office's report, BCI got the money at the end of last year. It was paid under the terms of the Broadcasting Act, 2005, which established a fund to aid Irish television production for broadcast on free-to-air channels.
The fund comprised 5 per cent of the net proceeds from the television licence fees. The money paid to the BCI covered three years and amounted to €25.8 million. The money was paid to the BCI as the Department of Communications interpreted the Act as meaning that the money had to be paid to the commission.
Following a query from the C&AG, the department sought further legal advice and is now reconsidering the matter.
Pobal
New accounting procedures are being implemented for Pobal, a company running Government and EU programmes, following queries by the C&AG.
Pobal receives funds from Government departments to pay out grants in programmes such as the Rural Social Scheme and RAPID.
It also holds funds for the Dormant Accounts Funds Disbursements Board.
Pobal has no independent source of funding.
The C&AG asked for more information about its accounting procedures after he noted that Pobal had a daily average of about €20 million on deposit last year and had earned some €700,000 in bank interest.
The accounting officer for the Department of Justice said there was no provision for Pobal to retain the interest earned on balances provided by his department.