University audits touted over lack of clarity

A review of college and university finances may be needed due to a lack of transparency in accounts, alleged commercial conflicts of interest, and concerns over where vital funds end up.

The Dáil Public Accounts Committee will make the claim in a report to be published today, which will call on colleges to publish audited accounts within six months of a year ending and release details of linked private foundation funds.

The PAC report is based on months of meetings with six facilities — Waterford IT, University of Limerick, Cork IT, UCC, Dublin IT, and NUI Galway — chosen because of significant delays in publishing their audited accounts.