The Compliance, Audit and Risk (CAR) Directorate is responsible for the operational management of the compliance and audit / verification functions across a wide range of Pobal-funded programmes.  

Compliance

The Compliance team are responsible for conducting checks at childcare service providers who are participating in a range of Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) funded Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) programmes. The purpose of the checks is to ensure adherence to key programme rules and funding agreement conditions pertaining to the relevant programmes. 

Compliance checks are primarily conducted during unannounced on-site visits to the childcare providers, although desk based checks can also be conducted. Childcare service providers preparing for a compliance visit by Compliance Visit Officers / Authorised Officers may find it useful to familiarise themselves with the contents of the following documents: 

  • Compliance Guides for Service Providers 
  • Compliance Checklists 

Further information on the compliance checks carried out by Pobal, as well as the guides and checklists referred to above are available for participating service providers in the resource sections on PIP and the Hive portals.  Service provider queries on the compliance checks process are managed through cvisit@pobal.ie. 

Audit

Audit / verification checks are conducted across a wide range of Pobal funded programmes. Such visits have a financial focus and aim to confirm that grant monies are spent for the purposes intended in accordance with programme rules and contractual conditions. They also include a review of internal financial controls and corporate governance arrangements. 

Beneficiaries preparing for an audit / verification visit by Pobal may find it useful to familiarise themselves with the contents of the Managing Better series documents. 

Further information on the audit / verification checks carried out by Pobal, as well as the materials referred to above, may be requested from audit@pobal.ie.