PRESIDENT OF Waterford Institute of Technology Prof Kieran Byrne has defended a range of spending on taxis, fine art and other services as “good value for money”.
The expenses details, which were released under the Freedom of Information Act, are the subject of an inquiry ordered yesterday by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was also briefed yesterday on the expenses controversy after documents released under the Act revealed details of expenses incurred by the president’s office in the past seven years.
These show the president’s office spent more than €100,000 on taxi fares – mostly between Dublin and Waterford – and more than €290,000 on hospitality. In excess of €134,000 was spent on fine art.
Mr Quinn issued a statement last night, saying he was aware of ongoing investigations into spending at the institute. Sources say the Minister is “dismayed’’ by the spending .
Last night , Prof Byrne insisted the spending represented "good value for money". He told The Irish Timesthat a driver/taxi service he had used for trips to Dublin actually saved public funds as it was less expensive than mileage payments.
He said the cost of his office represented only a tiny percentage of total spending at the institute at a time when the college was expanding, boosting its profile and seeking university status.
Yesterday, the chief executive of the HEA, Tom Boland requested a full report from the institute on the expenditure.
The release of the information comes as the institute’s board meets this morning to appoint a new president. Prof Byrne, who has already served 10 years as president, has been nominated for another term by a selection committee. But the board is unlikely to make any appointment until the spending reviews are complete.
The board will also consider a report on spending patterns from Deloitte, commissioned earlier this month by the institute. Neither Mr Quinn nor the HEA can intervene directly in the appointments.
Information released to The Irish Timesand the Teachers' Union of Ireland shows the president's office spent €139,000 on taxis and couriers, €214,000 on travel and over €3 million on other expense.
Earlier this year, Prof Byrne faced controversy when it emerged that €157,000 was spent on an office and boardroom two years ago, even though the president’s office is located in a new €24 million tourism and leisure building on the campus.
Purchases over the past three years included an audio visual system (€10,000), fitted furniture, fittings and curtains (€24,000), and loose furniture (€30,240).
