Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1990 > Committee of Public Accounts > Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1988

APPENDIX 15

VOTE 28:—FIRST LEVEL EDUCATION

SUBJECT:—QUESTION OF LEGAL ACTION TO SEEK REFUND OF MONIES TO THE VALUE OF TWO PAYABLE ORDERS IRREGULARLY CASHED BY TWO BUILDING SOCIETIES.

1. In paragraph 35 of his Report on the 1988 Appropriation Accounts the Comptroller and Auditor General drew attention to the fact that two payable orders issued as early retirement lump sum payments to two primary teachers by the Department of Education had been irregulary cashed by two building societies. At my appearance before the Committee on Public Accounts on the 14th June, I agreed to provide a report to the Committee on the question of legal action to seek refund of the monies involved.

2. Papers in the case were referred by Department to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office on 5th September, 1988. Advice was sought on the course of action to be pursued to ensure recovery in full of monies to the value of the stolen payable orders. The Department has been in regular contact with that Office in regard to the institution of legal proceeding against the building societies concerned.

3. My Department has consulted with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office about the Committee’s queries about progress on this case and I am advised to make the following statement to the Committee:

“The papers in the matter are with the Law Officers and you are being assured that the matter is being dealt with as expenditiously as possible.”

Any queries the Committee might have in relation to progress on the case should be addressed to the Accounting Officer for the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.