FIVE civil servants employed in the Ordnance Survey office in Dublin have been suspended and Garda fraud squad officers have started an investigation.
It is understood that three women and two men employed in the maps sales office of the State agency were suspended on February 21st. Their case has been referred to the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation in Harcourt Square in Dublin.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Finance, which has responsibility for the office, confirmed the suspensions yesterday.
"The issues arising from the suspension have been referred to the Garda Siochana and they are currently being investigated," she said.
It is understood that the five face allegations arising from an internal investigation carried out by senior officials.
The Ordnance survey office has "been increasing its sales following the introduction of new technology add aerial photography.
It has a large market for ordnance survey maps.
Farmers are required to submit original and sometimes multiple maps to support their claims for European premiums.
Property developers and local authorities are also major customers.
The office, with its headquarters in Phoenix Park, employs about 320 people, including up to 50 Army personnel.
It carried out its first surveys in the 19th century. The new technology adopted by the office in the last 10 years includes a digital map storage and output system.
In 1990, the Survey set up regional offices in Cork, Sligo, Ennis, Tuam, Longford and Kilkenny. The office was criticised in 1991 for its commercial outlook. The Society of Chartered Surveyors said the national survey was not being adequately maintained or developed.
The office received a £2.814 million subvention from the Exchequer last year and the estimated subvention for this year is £5.162 million.
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