EU anti-fraud office probing research projects in Ireland

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is currently investigating allegations of fraud in Ireland in relation to European Research projects.

OLAF confirmed that it conducted four investigations in Ireland in 2011. One of those is ongoing,

Three of these investigations saw OLAF take on a role in coordinating a clampdown on counterfeit-tobacco smuggling while the fourth is into an allegation of fraud concerning direct expenditure.

A spokesperson for OLAF confirmed the investigation into direct expenditure concerned EU research projects in Ireland.

“OLAF is currently investigating fraud allegations concerning EU research projects in Ireland. However, as this investigation is ongoing and for reasons of judicial secrecy, OLAF cannot comment further on the matter.”

OLAF said it could not comment on whether it was investigating an Irish university, semi-state body or government department regarding the alleged fraud.

“For legal reasons, OLAF’s general policy is to neither confirm nor deny involvement of natural or legal persons (including companies/organisations) in its investigations. Furthermore, as this is an ongoing investigation OLAF cannot comment further on it,” a spokesperson said.

Irish researchers have been successfully accessing research funding to the tune of €1m a week under the EU FP7 funding framework since 2007.

A spokesperson for Enterprise Ireland said they were unaware of any allegations of fraud in Ireland.

“Enterprise Ireland is not aware of any such allegations. To the best of our knowledge, there are literally thousands of applications from Irish-based entities to the European Commission annually for research support.

“Enterprise Ireland is only one of a number of organisations under a national support framework that provides assistance for companies to make applications for research funding to the Commission,” a spokesperson said.

OLAF handled 463 cases across the EU in 2011. The results of these investigations led to the recovery of €691m and a cumulative 511 years of prison sentences being issued by member state courts.