The alleged ‘irregular’ spending of money at the Tipperary Hostel project was raised in the Public Accounts Committee yesterday.
The Tipperary town project, financed and assisted through FAS and Pobal was halted a number of years ago following an audit which raised concerns about whether €150,000 of money provided had been spent properly.
An investigation into the audit’s findings was then launched.
It was due to be completed by the end of last month and, addressing the committee yesterday, FAS chief executive Paul O’Toole confirmed that what he described as the “irregular expenditure” had been referred to gardai in the past week to consider whether it was of a “criminal nature”.
The project in question involved the transformation of a Famine-era workhouse in Tipperary town into self-catering accommodation for tourists.
Funding was primarily provided through not-for-profit organisation Pobal with FAS providing manpower.
FAS is due to be abolished and replaced by the new body Solas at the end of this year.
