The Peter McVerry Trust has refused to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for a second time, sparking renewed criticism. The public meeting was due to take place this Thursday, 19th June, with the Committee set to also meet with representatives from the Department of Housing.
It follows the bringing to light of serious governance failings by the trust after investigations by two State regulators.
In 2021, as reported by Matt Tracey, the charity employed a total of 504 people, including 492 who were full time employees. Of their total income of more than €53 million in 2021, total staff and administrative costs came to more than €50.5 million.
As reported in 2023: “The bulk of the McVerry Trust income comes from the state, 72% in 2022, and as part of that the McVerry Trust drew down €821,890 from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the “provision of accommodation and services,” alongside a once off payment for “works” at the Augusta Lodge.”
In September, the charity found itself facing fresh criticism when it was revealed it wanted full State funding despite a €15 million bailout. A September report by the Comptroller & Auditor General found that an interim chief of the charity was paid at a rate of €1,000 per day from the budget of the Department of Housing before a new permanent chief executive was appointed last April.
Between 2019 and 2022 the housing NGO received some €140 million from State sources.
A report published by the regulator in December 2024 found that “no one” within the organisation acknowledged responsibility for maintaining a register. Further, it said that the recording of land in the register was “not accurate” and “could not be relied upon to provide a fully comprehensive record of the fixed assets” while the charity’s board “did not have appropriate oversight” of procurement and expenditure.
The controversy-hit housing charity, which received a Government bailout of €15 million, previously refused to appear before the committee last year. In a statement, the charity’s CEO, Niall Mulligan, said that the organisation had “nothing to add” in relation to the damning report it was invited to discuss. Mr Mulligan said that the organisation is “deeply appreciative” of the financial support and oversight arrangements that were put in place.
However, members of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee today expressed disappointment at the Peter McVerry Trust for declining the invitation to discuss the report on its financial troubles for a second time — despite being summoned to Leinster House to answer questions about the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).
Fine Gael TD and PAC member James Geoghegan said:“The bottom line is that at this stage, the investigations are complete, and they should just come before the Oireachtas to outline the measures that they’ve taken to date.”
Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh said on X: “Peter McVerry Trust refusing to attend PAC is not acceptable. When public money is involved, accountability is essential. PAC should use its power to compel attendance.”
The 2023 Report on the Accounts of the Public Service, published in September 2024 by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), highlighted how the trust, set up by Jesuit priest Fr Peter McVerry, had received over €140 million in State funding between 2019 and 2022.
The report by the spending watchdog also revealed that the charity sought full State funding for its operations, diverging from its previous model of 70% public and 30% fundraising income. The report had also highlighted how the Department of Housing spent €1.56 million on professional fees, on top of a €15 million rescue package to keep the charity afloat.
In a letter to the PAC seen by the Irish Times, the charity said it was “not in a position at this time” to attend the committee.