College crisis deepens as leaked figures reveal ?875,000 surplus

THE row at the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) has worsened with the disclosure that the institute had a massive surplus last year of ?875,000 - nearly twice what it was the previous year.

The Christian Brothers confirmed last night that there is only one bank account for the MIE. This handles all transactions for Colaiste Mhuire, whose principal resigned last Friday, as well as for the Centre for Education Services, the conference centre and other ancillary activities.

Leaked figures show that up to the end of July last year MIE had an income of ?7.464m and outgoings of ?6.569m, giving a very healthy surplus.

But the Irish Independent has learned that the Brothers as trustees are obliged to have separate accounts for Colaiste Mhuire and other parts of the institute, as set out in the 1996 Instrument of Government document. The main MIE income comes from the Department of Education and Science for Colaiste Mhuire but as it does not have its own account, the money goes directly into the single MIE account.

This was one of the main sources of tension between the former head of the college Caoimhe Mairtin and the college authorities, which resulted in her shock resignation last Friday.

She had expressed concerns that public monies from the department given to the college were ending up in the Marino Institute of Education in a way she considered to be non-transparent.

Ms Mairtin, who had gone to the High Court alleging bullying and abuse, had also sought an order of discovery about the manner in which department monies were being used and about any surplus.

Last night's figures show income of around ?1m from the conference centre in Marino but it is not clear where the ?1m or so 'other income' derives from. Nor is it entirely clear how much is actually spent on the college itself.

The Brothers said last night that "modest" operating surpluses were recorded, after overhead costs in 2002, 2003 and 2004, for Colaiste Mhuire. Part of the operating surpluses had been applied to purchasing fixed assets (classroom furniture, IT equipment etc). "The remainder has been retained in the bank. This aspect of the institute's operations has a budgeted deficit for 2004/2005."

They said that 27.6 acres of the 36.4 acres in Marino were leased by the institute. There were also two schools that were separate entirely from MIE and owned by the Brothers.

In response to questions, they said there was absolutely no involvement of Treasury Holdings in the running of the college or MIE and no connection whatsoever with Moneycorp. Two business men associated with these companies, Dermod Dwyer and Colin Quarry, were on the governing body of MIE in their private capacity.

Earlier, Mr Dwyer was criticised by Senator Joe O'Toole who asked the Seanad to investigate the role of "Svengali like figures" on the governing body.

Meanwhile, INTO general secretary John Carr said that in order to create an atmosphere conducive to resolving the serious issues in Marino, the governing body should step aside. The trustees should appoint a manager, acceptable to all, as an interim measure.

John Walshe
Education Editor

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THE row at the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) has worsened with the disclosure that the institute had a massive surplus last year of ?875,000 - nearly twice what it was the previous year.

The Christian Brothers confirmed last night that there is only one bank account for the MIE. This handles all transactions for Colaiste Mhuire, whose principal resigned last Friday, as well as for the Centre for Education Services, the conference centre and other ancillary activities.

Leaked figures show that up to the end of July last year MIE had an income of ?7.464m and outgoings of ?6.569m, giving a very healthy surplus.

But the Irish Independent has learned that the Brothers as trustees are obliged to have separate accounts for Colaiste Mhuire and other parts of the institute, as set out in the 1996 Instrument of Government document. The main MIE income comes from the Department of Education and Science for Colaiste Mhuire but as it does not have its own account, the money goes directly into the single MIE account.

This was one of the main sources of tension between the former head of the college Caoimhe Mairtin and the college authorities, which resulted in her shock resignation last Friday.

She had expressed concerns that public monies from the department given to the college were ending up in the Marino Institute of Education in a way she considered to be non-transparent.

Ms Mairtin, who had gone to the High Court alleging bullying and abuse, had also sought an order of discovery about the manner in which department monies were being used and about any surplus.

Last night's figures show income of around ?1m from the conference centre in Marino but it is not clear where the ?1m or so 'other income' derives from. Nor is it entirely clear how much is actually spent on the college itself.

The Brothers said last night that "modest" operating surpluses were recorded, after overhead costs in 2002, 2003 and 2004, for Colaiste Mhuire. Part of the operating surpluses had been applied to purchasing fixed assets (classroom furniture, IT equipment etc). "The remainder has been retained in the bank. This aspect of the institute's operations has a budgeted deficit for 2004/2005."

They said that 27.6 acres of the 36.4 acres in Marino were leased by the institute. There were also two schools that were separate entirely from MIE and owned by the Brothers.

In response to questions, they said there was absolutely no involvement of Treasury Holdings in the running of the college or MIE and no connection whatsoever with Moneycorp. Two business men associated with these companies, Dermod Dwyer and Colin Quarry, were on the governing body of MIE in their private capacity.

Earlier, Mr Dwyer was criticised by Senator Joe O'Toole who asked the Seanad to investigate the role of "Svengali like figures" on the governing body.

Meanwhile, INTO general secretary John Carr said that in order to create an atmosphere conducive to resolving the serious issues in Marino, the governing body should step aside. The trustees should appoint a manager, acceptable to all, as an interim measure.

John Walshe
Education Editor