Institute accrued EUR2m surplus in last three years

The Marino Institute of Education (MIE) has generated a surplus of over €2 million in the last three years, according to a document…

The Marino Institute of Education (MIE) has generated a surplus of over €2 million in the last three years, according to a document submitted to the Department of Education and Science.

The document shows a surplus of €875,000 last year and an annual income of €7.5 million.

It explains how MIE as a private entity is required to be financially self-sufficient, with all of its surplus used for future development.

The document is very protective about the information it is disclosing.

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It advises the department: "Please note that MIE considers information submitted . . . and the enclosed draft audited accounts, to be commercially sensitive material, because the information regarding conferencing and other activities would not otherwise be publicly available."

The failure of MIE to provide financial disclosure has been a key feature of the controversy.

Earlier this week, the Dáil was told that there is no evidence to show that funding for teacher-training provided to Coláiste Mhuire was used for any other purpose.

Despite the surplus, the INTO has reported how members of staff "cited difficulties in delivering courses because of inadequate budgets which were subsequently reduced further".

The INTO says: "The fact that Marino is a private institution cannot be used to avoid accountability. To ensure full public confidence in this issue, the Comptroller and Auditor General must conduct a full investigation and issue a report on his findings."

Last night, the union also called on the governing body of MIE to step aside "in order to create an atmosphere conducive to resolving these serious issues".

Seán Flynn

Seán Flynn

The late Seán Flynn was education editor of The Irish Times