Tánaiste and Enterprise, Trade & Employment Minister Mary Coughlan has asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to launch a special investigation into FÁS expenditure since 2000.
In a statement last night, a spokesperson for Ms Coughlan said the Tánaiste has confidence in the leadership of FÁS.
The spokesperson said the investigation was in response to speculation and negative publicity about the State training agency.
Minister Coughlan would await the outcome of the examination before deciding whether any action was warranted, the spokesperson added.
