Probe into use of State funding at institute

CONSULTANTS PricewaterhouseCoopers were yesterday appointed to examine the use of Department of Education funding at the Marino Institute of Education.

The Irish National Teachers Union (INTO) last night welcomed the speedy initiative by Education Minister Mary Hanafin to appoint the international accounting firm.

However, the minister emphasised: "at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that funding provided by my department has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, but it is important to secure confirmation that this is indeed the case."