The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, has announced an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities at the Marino Institute of Eduation (MIE).
The inquiry findings which are to be made public, will be conducted by PriceWaterhouseCooperse and will focus exclusively on whether there has been any misuse of State funds. MIE receives about €4.5 million from the State annually.
MIE announced yesterday it was to hold its own inquiry into the running of the college.
Last week, the president of Coláiste Mhuire - the teacher- training college which is overseen by the MIE - resigned. Ms Caoimhe Máirtín had taken a High Court action alleging bullying and harassment at the Christian Brothers-run facility.
In a press statement Ms Hanafin said: "At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that funding provided by my department to Coláiste Mhuire Marino/MIE has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, but it is important to secure confirmation that this is indeed the case."
The Minister also indicated that senior department officials will meet MIE trustees to discuss issues related to the situation at Coláiste Mhuire Marino and MIE.
The independent inquiry announced by Ms Hanafin is expected to be welcomed by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO). Yesterday, the former INTO secretary general, Senator Joe O'Toole, threatened to "name the names" of those he suspects are involved in the events surrounding Ms Martin's departure.