THE COMPTROLLER & Auditor General has published its report on governance and value for money issues at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

An audit published today highlighted an excessive number of staff credit cards, an oversized vehicle fleet, and costly reliance on agency workers, exposing long-standing weaknesses in the agency’s oversight and management of public funds.

Issues with IFI’s governance and internal control systems were raised in several protected disclosures made to the Minister for the Environment in 2022 and 2023. The IFI board was in turmoil at the time, with multiple resignations followed by the no-fault dismissal of some members by the minister.

Financial and operational issues identified by the C&AG included the continued use of 17 staff credit cards as of the end of 2024, down from 53 in 2020 when combined spending had totalled over €148,000.

Seventeen cards was “still excessive for an organisation of IFI’s size” and there did not appear to be a valid business justification for this, the auditor said in a statement today.

The report also found that IFI operated a vehicle fleet that was “excessive” compared to staff numbers, resulting in inefficiencies and further costs.

Report findings

Mismanagement led to some vehicles being uninsured for a period, with one incident resulting in potential losses of almost €230,000, and settlements with the Revenue commissioners over benefit-in-kind issues totalling nearly €296,000.

IFI’s reliance on agency staff has also been flagged. The cost of hiring temporary staff increased from €743,000 in 2021 to €882,000 in 2022, with some agency employees receiving statutory redundancy payments despite having worked continuously for two years.

The agency’s core function (the protection of inland and inshore fisheries) was similarly affected, according to the report.

Between 2018 and 2019, IFI replaced its fleet of 12 rigid inflatable boats at a cost of €3.5 million. However, retirements, staff departures, and revised qualification requirements for coxswains caused a sharp drop in patrols, which only returned to around 81% of target levels by 2023.

A further lapse came in March 2023, when IFI discovered that formal delegated sanction for officers to initiate prosecutions had not been in place.

Around 50 cases, including prosecutions for serious fish kills and water pollution, were withdrawn, exposing the agency to potential financial and legal risk.

Prosecutions recommenced in June 2023 once proper approval was granted.

The report also highlighted weaknesses in grant and asset management.

Between 2019 and 2021, IFI received €1.18 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund, with instances of expenditure not fully aligned with intended purposes.

Shortcomings were identified in tender competitions, including a €19,750 novice angler programme in 2019, and in the governance of a €4,000 grant to Maugherow Sea Angling Club.

Internal audits also found significant deficiencies in managing Aasleagh Lodge and associated self-catering cottages in County Mayo.