€200k Fás contract deal ‘made prior to election’

EDUCATION and Skills Minister Ruairi Quinn said a decision on a six-figure public relations contract issued by Fás to an outside agency was made prior to the general election.

He said the contract to Fleishman Hillard was worth €200,000 — not €300,000 as had been reported — and the decision was made when Fás was an independent operation.

“Some of the money has not yet been spent and it is an operational matter for the Fás managers and authorities,” Mr Quinn told reporters.