Audit report reveals compliance gaps in Ministry of Justice
The Audit Service report on the Ministry of Justice highlights several issues, including non-compliance with laws and regulations, deficiencies in expense control, and incomplete adherence to General Accounting Office circulars. It covers the administration of the ministry, prisons, and the fire service, with a special report on the police published in 2023. The report recommends establishing a reliable internal control system for compliance and monitoring. It notes that some NGOs have not submitted required documentation for funded programs, suggesting legal action to recover funds and possibly withholding future grants. The Ministry of Finance reported an outstanding return of €3,700 from programs/actions in 2017 and 2021, with a Grants Scheme amendment under consideration. Additionally, it highlights the issue of supervisors for released prisoners being overburdened, suggesting a cap on the number of prisoners per supervisor. The report also points out discrepancies in prisoner account balances and unregistered transactions in violation of General Accounting Office provisions. Lastly, it recommends withholding increments for temporary guards who have not passed required exams.