The body that examines public spending and tax collection, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, published its annual report on Tuesday.

TDs raised a number of issues it highlighted at Leaders’ Questions.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the report contained “breathtaking evidence of overcharging by private operators” who were awarded international protection applicants (IPAS) contracts.

She said the Government will spend 1.2 billion euro on IPAS contracts this year, and criticised the level of due diligence carried out and the way records were kept last year.

Ms McDonald said “signed contracts couldn’t be found in more than a third of the cases examined” and “proof of ownership of the properties or a copy of leases was provided in only 5% of the properties examined

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