Pressure on Cowen as millions go to waste...
Millions of euro of taxpayers' money has been lost by state bodies and agencies, the report from spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) said.
In his first report, new C&AG John Buckley starkly uncovered the extent of the Government's failure to properly control its dwindling finances.
It was published as ministers prepare to slash public services in next month's budget, which has been brought forward by six weeks, in a bid to combat the deepening economic downturn.
The report revealed that the tax authorities had to make an embarrassing settlement of €1.7m to themselves for unpaid taxes, after failing to tax travel benefits awarded to their own staff. Mr Buckley's report exposed many of the same inadequacies as his predecessor, as he raised direct and specific concerns.
He identified:
"Shortcomings in the management of the State's financial resources".
"Questions as to the efficient use of public funds".
"Weaknesses and deficiencies in the procurement procedures and practices".
"Significant cost savings that could be generated".
The Health Service Executive (HSE) came in for the most stinging criticism of all, as it was lashed for being "fragmented, disjoined and difficult for patients to access".
The report said HSE management failed to act promptly on an overrun of €245m.
He also sharply criticised the managers for assuming they would be "bailed out" with extra funding.
"There was considerable delay in addressing the emerging deficit. In a number of instances where significant overruns were occurring, it could have been expected that specific action would have been taken but the review found no evidence that any such action was taken."
The Comptroller identified a plethora of areas where the taxpayer was being let down, including:
garda cars being bought but not used for a year.
councils building up over €1bn in levies.
border-duty bonuses being paid to soldiers, even after the peace process.
exorbitant management fees being paid on a savings scheme.
no competitive tendering in sections of the prisons service.
flood-relief scheme money not being spent for two years.
Despite Mr Cowen's promises to reform the public service, all of these incidents happened during his watch as Finance Minister.
Response
Mr Cowen's successor, Brian Lenihan, had no response to the highly critical report last night. He instead referred it to the Dail Public Accounts Committee.
The Taoiseach himself also chose not to respond to the report's findings. However, his officials referred to the upcoming report on public-sector reform, which Mr Cowen says will outline actions to be taken.
The Opposition said the report pointed to the Government's continued failure to manage resources.
Labour deputy leader Joan Burton said Mr Lenihan should read the report, as it highlighted a number of areas for reform which "would undoubtedly lead to significant savings".
Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar said many of the items related to wasted spending by state bodies, agencies and quangos.
"Fine Gael has already highlighted the problems associated with the explosion of quangos."
Report by By Fionnan Sheahan and Aine Kerr - Irish Independent
Millions of euro of taxpayers' money has been lost by state bodies and agencies, the report from spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) said.
In his first report, new C&AG John Buckley starkly uncovered the extent of the Government's failure to properly control its dwindling finances.
It was published as ministers prepare to slash public services in next month's budget, which has been brought forward by six weeks, in a bid to combat the deepening economic downturn.
The report revealed that the tax authorities had to make an embarrassing settlement of €1.7m to themselves for unpaid taxes, after failing to tax travel benefits awarded to their own staff. Mr Buckley's report exposed many of the same inadequacies as his predecessor, as he raised direct and specific concerns.
He identified:
"Shortcomings in the management of the State's financial resources".
"Questions as to the efficient use of public funds".
"Weaknesses and deficiencies in the procurement procedures and practices".
"Significant cost savings that could be generated".
The Health Service Executive (HSE) came in for the most stinging criticism of all, as it was lashed for being "fragmented, disjoined and difficult for patients to access".
The report said HSE management failed to act promptly on an overrun of €245m.
He also sharply criticised the managers for assuming they would be "bailed out" with extra funding.
"There was considerable delay in addressing the emerging deficit. In a number of instances where significant overruns were occurring, it could have been expected that specific action would have been taken but the review found no evidence that any such action was taken."
The Comptroller identified a plethora of areas where the taxpayer was being let down, including:
garda cars being bought but not used for a year.
councils building up over €1bn in levies.
border-duty bonuses being paid to soldiers, even after the peace process.
exorbitant management fees being paid on a savings scheme.
no competitive tendering in sections of the prisons service.
flood-relief scheme money not being spent for two years.
Despite Mr Cowen's promises to reform the public service, all of these incidents happened during his watch as Finance Minister.
Response
Mr Cowen's successor, Brian Lenihan, had no response to the highly critical report last night. He instead referred it to the Dail Public Accounts Committee.
The Taoiseach himself also chose not to respond to the report's findings. However, his officials referred to the upcoming report on public-sector reform, which Mr Cowen says will outline actions to be taken.
The Opposition said the report pointed to the Government's continued failure to manage resources.
Labour deputy leader Joan Burton said Mr Lenihan should read the report, as it highlighted a number of areas for reform which "would undoubtedly lead to significant savings".
Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar said many of the items related to wasted spending by state bodies, agencies and quangos.
"Fine Gael has already highlighted the problems associated with the explosion of quangos."
Report by By Fionnan Sheahan and Aine Kerr - Irish Independent
What a total waste - it's a scandal - no wonder the country is going down the tubes!