FÁS criticised over handling of lucrative contracts

The Comptroller and Auditor General has highlighted a number of incidents involving waste of taxpayers' money by state bodies.

The criticism follows audits of a number of agencies and organisations, including FÁS, the Abbey Theatre, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the VEC.

The incidents mentioned include two FÁS contracts worth €30,000 and €53,000 which were awarded to companies before the tenders for the work were formally issued.

The C&AG also raises concerns about a software system at the IBTS which experienced technical problems and had to be written off at a cost of €729,000 in 2006.