Youthreach revelations - Every euro must deliver public value

Serious questions are raised by today’s Irish Examiner investigation into misuse of taxpayers’ money and lack of normal procedures at a State-funded Youthreach programme.

The litany of failings exposed by an internal audit covering 2008, 2009 and 2010 at Macroom Youthreach, under the umbrella of the Cork County VEC, puts the spotlight on major “control weaknesses” at the organisation and failures by the VEC.

The Macroom venture is one of several youth programmes across the country aimed at developing the potential of young people. From the classroom to the sports-field, they range from Youthreach at the National Concert Hall, bringing classical music to the young masses, to local initiatives to combat the use of drugs by young people.