Figures reveal how FÁS lived it up at Robbie Williams concert at taxpayers’ expense

FÁS executives and their invited guests spent a total of €723 on alcohol and €1,532 on food at a Robbie Williams concert, while the total outlay on tickets for the event was €784, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act to TV3.

Commenting on this information Chairman, of the Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen TD said: “Once again FÁS top brass have shown that they were living in a parallel universe in recent years. There can be no justification for flagrantly wasting tax payers’ money on events like this which have absolutely no relevance to FÁS’ core business.

A report by the C&AG has revealed that between 2002-08 FAS spent a total of €35,000 on hospitality and tickets for sports events and concerts. When those at a high level in FÁS should have been concentrating on training and securing employment it appears some of them were more interested in enjoying themselves and letting the State pick up the tab.

The Public Accounts Committee has been vigorous in trying to uncover went on in FÁS in the past and has produced a number of recommendations regarding the governance of the agency. We will be continuing our investigation of the agency in the coming weeks.

As part of this process we have asked for further detail regarding who exactly attended this concert and have requested additional information about other events arranged by FÁS.

It is some relief to Committee members that the new Director General of FÁS has assured us that spending of this nature has been discontinued. However, it is clear that in the past activity such as this was allowed to go under the radar and the Public Accounts Committee is determined that this not be allowed to happen again."