OPW-run arts scheme found €2m idle in account and confused records on what work was complete

An audit of an Office of Public Works-run scheme to support the arts found €2 million left idle in an account, projects where it was unclear whether they had started or finished, and financial transfers made for more than the artwork cost.

The internal audit said there were no proper documented procedures for the scheme while funding intended for one project ended up being spent on another.

The review of the Percent for Art scheme, a government initiative that sees 1 per cent of the cost of all major state projects allocated to new art or acquisition of art, took place in May 2023.

The internal auditors said they could provide only “limited” assurance on its ope...
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