A report seen by RTÉ News into how FÁS handled expenditure controversies at the agency has upheld a number of serious complaints against FÁS management by former Director of Corporate Affairs Greg Craig. He was dismissed earlier this week.
The investigation by accountancy firm Mazars found that the organisation had leaked confidential information - including medical details - about Mr Craig, as well as furnishing inaccurate information to the Public Accounts Investigations into the questionable expenditure.
The controversy over lavish travel and expenditure led to the resignation of former Director General Rody Molloy and the suspension of Mr Craig for a period.
The Mazar's report found there were instances where individual agendas took precedence over the best interests of the staff and the organisation.
In a number of cases, Mazars was unable to identify the individual officer responsible for a breach, but finds against FÁS corporately.
The Mazars report upholds Mr Craig's complaint that his suspension was announced at the Public Accounts Committee on November 27, 2008 before he himself had been notified or given an opportunity to defend himself.
It queries the value of some internal audits, given that Mr Craig - against whom complaints had been made and who was under investigation - was not asked for his view of the material which the internal auditors had accumulated.
It states that FÁS breached the Data Protection Act, the FÁS Code of Ethics, the FÁS Dignity and Respect at Work (Bullying and Harrassment) Code, as well as procedures for the security and control of human resources files.
In January, FÁS confirmed in writing to Mr Craig and his union SIPTU that it accepted the findings of the Mazars report, and acknowledged that a public statement would have to made based on the findings against FÁS in the Mazars report. However, that did not happen.
A further audit investigation - the Lynam investigation - was then set up to review previous audits. On foot of that process, Mr Craig was dismissed earlier this week.
It is understood that he is taking legal advice.
FÁS said that over the past two years, it had been working to deal with a wide range of legacy issues to ensure that it operates to the highest standards. It says considerable progress is being made in this regard.
It ends by saying that it is not FÁS practice to comment on detailed HR matters relating to individuals.
