Greyhound board paid out €300,000 in error

The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) paid out just under €300,000 in prize money to owners and trainers in error in 2011, according to the semi-State body's latest set of financial results. Accounts for Bord na gCon show €296,498.70 was paid in error in January 2011 to 1,632 owners and trainers. This prize money had already been paid out in June 2010.

Some €49,439 had yet to be refunded to the Limerick-based body by the end of 2011 and it is understood that more than €40,000 remains outstanding. The accounts state that Bord na gCon expects to recover a “significant portion of this money”.

Write-off
However, IGB chief executive Adrian Neilan told The Irish Times that some of this money might ultimately have to be written off.

Mr Neilan said IT company Dell was asked to review the overpayment and made a number of recommendations that have been adopted in full. The board’s internal systems were not “robust enough”, he added.

The accounts also note instances where goods and services were not tendered and where quotations had not been sought from a number of suppliers.

These are thought to relate to advisory services on its pension scheme, and advertising work.

“The Bord has commenced a review process in order to ensure full compliance with public procurement guidelines,” the statement on internal financial control in the accounts states.

Delay
Publication of the greyhound body's 2011 accounts was delayed by about 10 months. Mr Neilan said this was due to a delay in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General completing its audit.

Mr Neilan said it was “unfortunate” and due in part to “unhelpful and inaccurate media reporting” that resulted in the C&AG seeking clarifications on certain matters.

The accounts show that Bord na gCon achieved turnover in 2011 of €31.8 million, almost €1 million lower than the previous year.

However, its operating surplus before grant aid increased to €3.4 million from €2.6 million in 2010.