Internal audit criticises aspects of council research spending
An October 2009 report from the Donegal County Council internal audit committee questioned the process used to award the reorganization of council work practices to two researchers, and was critical of expenses paid to the researchers who undertook the work.
The report included several samples of expenses charged by the two researchers, which ranged from 1,268.90 euro to 1,286.30 euro for two- and three-night stays and associated expenses at the Castle Grove Country Hotel and Restaurant in Ballymaleel, Letterkenny. Among the itemised charges in one of the samples were 201.50 euro for wines, 24 euro for phone calls and 300 euros for meeting rooms during a stay from Dec. 1-4, 2008.
The audit was on the agenda for yesterday’s May council meeting, but the council had not yet discussed it by the time of going to press.
“Having regard to the nature and monetary value of the expenses incurred in this manner, particularly in relation to items such as wine x 3 days 201.50 euro, telephone calls 32.40 euro etc. etc. Internal Audit finds it extremely worrying that the payment of such expenses could be considered as merited,” Tony McCrossan internal auditor, wrote in the audit.
The audit considered that some of the expenses charged to council should not have been paid and should now be recouped.
Earlier this year, County Manager Michael McLoone told councillors that the specialist research and management systems and tools the council paid for could not have been procured through competitive tendering, and said that the council restructuring that resulted from the work has led to savings of many times the cost.
Stephen Cang and David Stroll, the researchers who conducted the work, also made a presentation to council earlier this year.
Over the past nine years, the council has spent about 2.294 million euro on the research and the work systems.
In a report to the chairperson and members of the council’s audit committee earlier this month, Sean Sheridan, director of corporate services, said the council will seek a return on investment when the system is tested and available to market.
Mr. Sheridan also defended the expenses claimed, saying he stood over a statement he made in July 2009: “I do not consider these amounts to be unreasonable, having regard to the fact that the One Sigma representatives work over long hours on their visits to Donegal and that the facilities in Castlegrove House are frequently used for meetings with myself and other members of staff.”
Earlier this year, at the recommendation of the county manager, the council called on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to carry out an independent examination of the procurement aspect of the project, and the Minister has indicated that he is considering the matter, Mr. Sheridan said.
In his report Mr. Sheridan said any review of value for money must assess actual and potential return, "both financially and in terms of reputation." He said the county council has been "transformed from an organisation which was viewed by its own staff, members and customers as a poor performer to one that is now described in several national reports as being at the cutting edge of innovation in service delivery.”
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