Mayo County Council told to repay €1.1m after audit

MAYO County Council has to repay €1.1 million in funding that was drawn down for Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) projects that did not proceed.

The authority has also been hit with a €160,000 penalty following an audit that showed 10 projects fell short of the guidelines in terms of draw down of funding.

Funding for four of those projects - part of the Clew Bay Greenway - has now been decommitted. This includes the greenway link to Lecanvey, to which Michael Ring had allocated €500,000 while a minister.

A full report and documentation on the audit, which found a number of failings with regards checks and procedures, is to be circulated to elected members.

The issue was brought to councillors' notice at a workshop yesterday (Monday) and the facts were put before the public monthly meeting of the council today by cathaoirleach Councillor Michael Smyth and recently appointed chief executive Kevin Kelly.

Mr. Kelly said essentially the council drew down funding for projects without having the work completed. That was done with the best of intentions, but not in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

The department found that six of the 10 projects had advanced sufficiently and could move on to completion during the first six months of 2022, subject to a 15% penalty, which amounts to €160,000.

Four projects relating to the Clew Bay Greenway had not progressed sufficiently or at all and their funding - €1.1 million - has been decommitted.

The funding drawn down has not been spent and is available for repayment to the department.

Greenway projects, he explained, are now coming under the remit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the council will work with them into the future.

There is no prohibition on the council applying for future funding for the projects which have been decommitted.

The Clew Bay Greenway remains a top priority project, he said, and they would be working to regain the ground lost and funding to complete it as soon as possible.

Mr. Kelly said he understood the disappointment and frustration of members and gave assurances that this would not be repeated.

Councillor Smyth said the local authority had to put its hands up when errors are made. As members, they had a responsibility to ensure the system of checks and balances and practices and procedures are followed correctly.

Councillor Christy Hyland said they had to find out why it went wrong and ensure it never happens again.

While he welcomed the transparency, Councillor Peter Flynn said the matter has done huge reputational damage to the council.