BREAKING: Tipperary IPAS centre referred to Public Accounts Committee

Independent Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath has formally referred the recently announced €20 million IPAS contract for Dundrum House Hotel to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, raising serious concerns over transparency, procurement procedures, and the suitability of the contractor involved.

The contract, entered into by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has been awarded to Utmasta Limited, a newly formed private company incorporated in Spain in January of this year.

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The company lists a single director, Ms Ana Maria Fernandez Sanchez, and has a declared capital of €120.

“This contract, worth up to €20 million of taxpayers’ money, has been awarded under circumstances that demand immediate scrutiny,” Deputy McGrath stated.

“A newly established company with minimal capital and no clear track record is now in line to receive a massive public contract, and that raises red flags.”

Deputy McGrath also highlighted a number of legal and regulatory issues surrounding the property in question.

“There are ongoing court proceedings, a lis pendens attached to the site, and now a warning letter from Tipperary County Council over planning breaches. These factors bring the integrity of the entire procurement process into question.”

Deputy McGrath stressed the need for full transparency from the Department and expressed concern over the Department’s continued reliance on ‘commercial sensitivity’ to avoid providing answers.

“The public deserves full clarity on how this contract was awarded,” he continued. “There can be no room for opaque dealings when such significant sums of public money are involved. The PAC must now take this matter in hand and carry out a full examination of the Department’s procurement practices.”

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Following the recent establishment of Oireachtas Committees, Deputy McGrath has written to PAC Chair Deputy John Brady and the Clerk of the Committee requesting urgent consideration of the matter.

“With the Committees now set to begin work, I am urging the PAC to treat this as a priority. We must ensure public trust in how government contracts are awarded, especially in light of serious unanswered questions surrounding this deal,” McGrath concluded.