€201k salary for Trinity College head breaches approved limit

Posted in Governance and administration, Legal issues on June 4th, 2020 by steve

Ireland“The head of Ireland’s oldest university, Trinity College Dublin, has been overpaid since 2011 as his salary is ‘in breach’ of what was approved by the Department of Education. Paddy Prendergast is paid €201,000 a year, but an external audit report, seen by the Irish Examiner, concludes that benefit-in-kind relating to his use of the provost’s lodge on campus exceeded the approved rate …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner, 4 June]

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‘It still feels very unfair’: Call for answers at University of Limerick as audit revealed

Posted in Governance and administration, Legal issues on February 10th, 2018 by steve

Ireland“There have been calls for accountability to be seen at the University of Limerick after the publication of details from an internal audit revealed that a number of senior staff members provided inaccurate or incomplete information to several government bodies …” (more)

[Jess Casey, Limerick Leader, 9 February]

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Further questions for University of Limerick as details of confidential audit are revealed

Posted in Legal issues on February 5th, 2018 by steve

Ireland“The University of Limerick has been plunged into yet another controversy following allegations that it mislead State bodies over unauthorised severance payments worth more than €1.2m. If these allegations are found to be true, the University’s behaviour “depicts a pattern of deliberate obfuscation and downright misrepresentation” according to Limerick TD Willie O’Dea …” (more)

[Jess Casey, Limerick Leader, 5 February]

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Third-level sector risks penalties for audit and salary breaches

Posted in Governance and administration, Legal issues on July 18th, 2017 by steve

Ireland“Colleges and universities will face significantly increased financial penalties from this autumn if they fail to produce audited accounts, ignore salary rules, or breach strict spin-off company laws. Education Minister Richard Bruton also announced greater inspection powers just a week after the Public Accounts Committee report revealed serious concerns over how the facilities are spending €1.5bn in taxpayers’ money every year …” (more)

[Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Irish Examiner, 18 July]

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Random audits to verify pay and conditions on building projects in the education sector to be introduced by Minister for Education & Skills

Posted in Legal issues on April 24th, 2013 by steve

“The Minister for Education & Skills is introducing random audits on school and Department of Education funded third level building projects in a proactive move to verify pay and conditions compliance on such sites …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 24 April]

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Watchdog contradicts O’Keeffe’s audit claim

Posted in Governance and administration on March 26th, 2009 by steve

Ireland“The State spending watchdog has contradicted a claim by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe that a major value-for-money review of higher education is nearly completed. Mr O’Keeffe yesterday told the Dail the audit was nearing completion. He said he had received the information from members of the Committee of Public Accounts. However, a letter sent by the Comptroller and Auditor General, John Buckley – seen by the Irish Independent – clearly states that the review will take up to 18 months before it is concluded. In the letter, dated March 19, 2009, Mr Buckley said only preliminary work scoping out a study had been done, and that the substantive work will not start until the autumn …” (more)

[John Walshe, Independent, 26 March]

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University’s ‘future in doubt’

Posted in Governance and administration on January 31st, 2009 by steve

“MPs have warned that the future of a university is in doubt as it faces the repayment of over £50m, after an audit found ‘incorrect data’ on students. London Metropolitan University has admitted that this puts more than 300 jobs at risk – and unions are planning a campus protest on Wednesday. The funding council says the deduction of income follows an audit showing inaccurate reporting of drop-out rates. A university leader says there could be further cases of such ‘gotcha audits’ …” (more)

[BBC News, 28 January]

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University sector needs an audit

Posted in Governance and administration on September 3rd, 2008 by steve

“The crisis in our universities is not about to be solved by a freeze on recruitment alone. The core of the problem appears to lie somewhere among the existing jobs rather than new ones. Two universities have announced a moratorium on new appointments and others are considering similar moves. This comes at a time when the Government is planning to investigate work practices in universities, with particular reference to the rapid growth in the number of senior, well-paid administrative posts …” (more)

[Independent, 3 September]

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