A report by accountancy firm Mazars could cost FÁS up to €250,000, but it will not be given access to the basis for some of its findings, the Public Accounts Committee heard today.
FÁS Director General Paul O'Toole acknowledged Mazars had found 18 inaccuracies and two partial inaccuracies in FÁS evidence to the PAC during five hearings in 2008 and 2009.
The PAC is considering evidence given to the committee by FÁS in 2008 and 2009.
However, he said Mazars could not give him details of the inaccuracies due to undertakings of confidentiality given to people participating in the investigation.
The Mazars report uncovered significant breaches of procedures in investigations into lavish spending at FÁS and disciplinary procedures involving former Director of Corporate Affairs Greg Craig.
In his opening statement, Mr O'Toole said Mazars had not stated that inaccurate evidence by FÁS misled the committee.
However, he later admitted he had accepted the Mazars report in January, and could not assert absolutely that FÁS had not misled the committee.
Labour's Derek Nolan asked why FÁS waited until the story broke in the media to address the issue.
Mr O'Toole said this was "not good" but he took a decision "rightly or wrongly" to get all the information before saying anything.
He confirmed the Mazars report could cost up to €250,000, yet FÁS does not have access to all the findings due to confidentiality undertakings to participants.
This situation was described as bizarre and "crackers".
Mr O'Toole has written to Mazars asking them to release details, and will update the committee
Questioned further, Mr O'Toole said that although the Mazars report did not categorically state that the inaccuracies had actually misled the PAC, he feels that he cannot assert absolutely that the PAC was not misled.
Mr O'Toole said that within the next week he would hope to provide the PAC with an update and he assured the committee that FÁS would be transparent.
Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald said the PAC had definitely been misled and that it was Mr O'Toole's responsibility to sort this out as quickly as possible.
Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe focused on the 18 inaccuracies, asking why Mr O'Toole had told the media at the time that he accepted the report if he is now saying he has reservations.
Mr O'Toole said he did accept there were 18 inaccuracies presented to PAC.
PAC chair John McGuinness summed up. He said the issue would be reviewed next week and that he expects a comprehensive statement from Mr O'Toole.
He said PAC should not have had to read about these issues in the media, with no prior knowledge.
