An inquiry appointed by the Education Ministry into MCAST's payroll systems and governance has found that while payroll-related problems were not of a high level and are unlikely to reoccur, significant shortcomings in administration, governance and reporting were identified, with disciplinary procedures now set to follow.

The Education Ministry said in a statement Monday that the inquiry, appointed by the Minister in terms of Articles 3 and 4 of the Inquiries Act, was to establish the facts, processes, procedures and systems of MCAST in relation to the payroll, with the aim of establishing administrative, civil and/or criminal responsibilities where applicable.

The inquiry was also tasked with investigating and establishing whether there was any relationship between the processes, procedures and decisions taken by MCAST officials in relation to a case of fraud and misappropriation of public funds, and to determine whether the current systems used by MCAST include an automatic mechanism to identify suspicious activities or activities that do not reflect good governance.

The Board of Inquiry was authorised to appoint any expert deemed necessary, and to draw conclusions and put forward the necessary regulatory and administrative recommendations for MCAST.

According to the statement, the board held several sittings during which it heard various witnesses and examined multiple documents in order to prepare the report submitted to the Ministry.

The board produced a technical report outlining the work carried out, an analysis of the reports presented, and its opinion on the testimony it heard.

Conclusions were drawn on the levels of leadership, administration and governance within MCAST.

The statement said that the Board of Governors has the duty to ensure that the executive implements and executes the recommendations contained in the report.

The report said that issues related to payroll were analysed and found not to be of a high level.

The inquiry noted that these issues appear to be receiving the necessary attention and are expected not to recur.

However, the board found that aspects related to finance and payroll clearly require improvement and must be given due attention.

The report said that levels of administration and governance must improve through the necessary changes, without fear or favour.

The inquiry also said that systems, structures, composition, roles and procedures must be reviewed and, where necessary, amended.

It was also noted that there was inadequate reporting by College officials to the Ministry and other offices regarding the implementation of the National Audit Office report.

On the basis of this finding, disciplinary procedures will be initiated against individuals who, in one way or another, failed in the fulfilment of their duties, the statement said.

The Ministry said it will ensure the implementation of the report by MCAST, while respecting parallel procedures already underway before the Maltese courts.

To avoid any ambiguity, the covering letter of the inquiry has been attached to the statement.

The independent inquiry, led by former judge Antonio Mizzi, looked into the case of fraud involving former MCAST and PN councillor Francine Farrugia, who was charged with misappropriating €2.4 million in college funds.