Mayo awaits reply to council report on controversial internal audit

Mayo County Council is awaiting a response from the Department of Rural and Community Development to a report submitted in response to concerns raised in an internal audit earlier this year.

The issues highlighted in the audit, subsequently featured in a report on PrimeTime programme by the RTÉ investigation team, resulted in funding being withdrawn from the county in respect of greenway works in Louisburgh and Achill while other substantial funding due to be allocated to Mayo was withheld.

The chief executive of the council, Kevin Kelly, said the most recent audits and reviews have not found any repeat of the significant financial issues encountered in the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) audit.

“The actions taken to date have been acknowledged and the recommendations are mainly relating to process and procedures,” he outlined.

Mr. Kelly said a CLÁR/TVRS review in respect of transactions was undertaken prior to the ORIS audit findings and therefore prior to any revised measures being put in place by Mayo County Council.

“Every identified action has been taken to ensure that our future processes from project selection through to final grant drawdown will be delivered in full compliance with all relevant requirements, but it is acknowledged that this is an ongoing process,” he added.