The group representing parents of secondary-school pupils is in crisis after a report - now with the Department of Education - severely criticised its operations.
The Irish Times understands an auditor's report into the National Parents Council, post Primary (NPCPP) has criticised accounting procedures and the manner in which some expense payments were made.
There is no suggestion in the report of any impropriety by anyone associated with the NPCPP. Rather, the report says procedures need to be tightened.
The seven-page report prepared by auditors John M Murphy and dated December 12th, 2000 found:
books of primary entry were not maintained;
the level of expenditure at any given time was not known;
no evidence that expenses claimed by directors were approved by another director;
bank reconciliation statements were not prepared on a regular basis;
Financial reporting did not fully accord with the requirements of the 1990 Companies Act.
It is understood the report is now being examined in the Department. There is already speculation that the NPCPP could be reorganised dramatically by the Department.
The NPCPP receives about £92,000 in annual funds from the Government. Its members are part time. It is recognised by the Government in the Education Act as the official statutory voice for secondary school parents in the State.
Like other bodies in receipt of public funds, the NPCPP is required to present a detailed audit report to the relevant government department every year.
In recent months, the NPCPP has seen bitter disputes between its five constituent bodies. Some, including the groups representing Catholic parents and minority religions, have been sharply critical of what they see as the NPCPP's very cautious stance in the teachers' dispute.