UL´s response to a damning report about overspending
Representatives from the University of Limerick sat with the Public Accounts Committee this morning over the university’s financial failings in recent years and months.
A damning report released by the State’s spending watchdog last month detailed significant overspending by UL for the purchase of properties. The purchase of 20 homes in Rhebogue for €12.85 million to be used for student accommodation and the former site of Dunnes Stores on Honan’s Quay for €8.3 million back in 2019, resulted in a total overspend of over €8 million.
UL’s Chancellor, Professor Brigid Laffan, Corporate Secretary John Kelly, Chief Financial and Performance Officer John Field as well as President Shane Kilcommins answered questions put forward by the Committee ‘as fully and openly as possible’.
Professor Brigid Laffan said that any further scandals in the University “would be utterly disastrous for UL’s recovery”.
She insisted that a change is happening and assured that further lapses would not happen.
President Shane Kilcommins added in an email to all students and staff that he is confident that ‘although the process is extremely difficult, UL will be better for it in the long run’.