THE head of Co Longford VEC was paid travel expenses over a period of nine years for his journeys to and from work in spite of the Department of Education refusing to sanction the arrangement, according to a new report.
The Department has now begun an investigation into the unauthorised travel and subsistence expenses paid to the acting chief executive officer of the VEC, Mr Sean Ryan, for the 28 mile round trip from his home in Ballymahon to the VEC offices in Longford town. The arrangement, which the Minister for Education also refused to sanction, dates back to his appointment in 1986.
Mr Ryan has declined to tell the author of the report, the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell, how much money is involved. However, Mr Purcell says that in 1994 alone the amount is estimated at about £4,500.
A report by the Comptroller into the affairs of Co Longford VEC also criticises the unauthorised expenditure of almost £500,000 on two sports halls and a playing pitch. One hall is not being used by the public because no toilets, showers or changing rooms were provided. A solar heating system was installed, but this turned out to be defective.
Mr Ryan is to be questioned on the report by members of the Dail Committee of Public Accounts next month. He could not be contacted for a response.
The report, which has been seen by The Irish Times, quotes Mr Ryan as saying that based on legal advice, it is "not appropriate that he be called upon to answer the Comptroller's queries.
The acting CEO was appointed in May 1986, having served principal of Ballymahon vocational school beforehand. At time, the VEC voted to pay travelling and subsistence expenses for commuting from his home to his place of work. However, when Mr Ryan sought approval for the arrangement from the Department in 1987, this was refused.
According to Mr Purcell, the Department has now begun its own investigation of the apparent breach of regulations and instructions. Mr Ryan told the Department in August 1995 that the payment of expenses would cease. The Minister for Education is awaiting legal advice before deciding what further action to take.
Mr Purcell's report also deals with the building of sports halls at Ballymahon and Granard vocational schools and a playing pitch at Templemichael vocational school. In 1988, National Lottery funds were secured towards the cost of these projects.
The report says that the VEC signed contracts for the projects with the Department's approval and without having sufficient funds to complete them.
In response, the VEC told the Comptroller that it had taken the receipt of the letter approving National Lottery funding as approval to begin building. It claimed £30,000 of lottery money had not been paid over.
