Public money must be secured - Ruane

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said that public money must be properly used and accounted for.

The Minister said: "It is vital that adequate procedures are in place to ensure public money is used properly for the benefit for our community. I welcome the Public Accounts Committee's interest in the issue of suspected contract fraud following the report from the Audit Office report on this issue. Since the Audit Office investigation, much tighter procedures have been put in place to manage public funds, but there is no room for complacency.

"The establishment of the new Education and Skills Authority will provide even stronger audit assurances, as there will be one process in place rather than the current system where different bodies may have different practices."

Notes to Editors:

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