This document outlines the organizational structure and funding of the Active School Flag program. It describes the staff roles and committees that oversee the program. It also details the annual funding received from the Department of Education and Skills between 2015-2018, which has totaled €475,000 and supported two employees, resources, and operating costs. An additional €213,000 grant was received from Healthy Ireland to support program expansion. The budget is administered by the Mayo Education Centre and subject to financial controls and independent auditing.

1. Active School Flag
Paul Butler – Director, Mayo Education Centre
Dublin – 06.06.2018

2. www.activeschoolflag.ie

3. Further staff
Accreditors x26
Screeners x5/6
(4 of which accreditors)
Employed on needs basis
ASF Office
Administrator
Majella Fitzmaurice
ASF National
Coordinator
Karen Cotter
Mayo Education
Centre Management
Committee
Members x14
Teachers/Retirees
Elected annually
Mayo Education Centre
Director (Paul Butler)
Active School Flag
Steering Committee
Inspector x2
Director
National Co-ordinator
DES x2
Healthy Ireland x1
PP x1

4. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Budget/Finance
Department of Education and Skills funding:
2015–2016 €125,000
2016–2017 €175,000
2017–2018 €175,000
This covered payroll for two employees, tax, resourcing,
postage, light and heat, stationary, etc.
The budget amount is administered to Mayo Education
Centre in two instalments January and July each year.
A budget and business plan must be submitted to the
Department of Education each year.

5. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Budget/Finance
ASF also received a grant application of €213,000
from Healthy Ireland. This allowed further investment
in the following areas:
• Human resources, staffing and support to schools.
• Physical resources for schools (ASF pack, badges,
leader vests, walkway packs, whistles, etc.)
• Research – how to improve the process
• Training events and seminars.
Application pending for a further grant in 2018.

6. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Management of Budget
€
Finance sub-committee of Mayo Education Centre.
• Meet monthly, prior to every management
board meeting.
• Budgets agreed on any extraordinary budget
requirements for that month.
• This is presented to the full management committee
for approval.
The finance committee consists of the Chairperson,
Deputy Chair, Director of the Centre, Treasurer,
Secretary and one other nominated member. All
funds are monitored by the sub-committee.

7. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Accounting and
Financial Reporting
€ Accounts are presented at the AGM in February each year.
The accounts are independently verified by accountants/
auditors of the centre.

8. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Financial Management
Internal Controls
All funding received by Mayo Education is subject to
adherence to the Operational and Financial Guidelines
(2006) for Education Centres as laid out by Teacher
Education Section of the Department of Education & Skills
(procurement, accounting laws, taxation, compliance).

9. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Financial Management
Distribution of Funds
Subject to internal control procedures, drawn on the
Operational and Financial Guidelines (2006) for
Education Centres (Teacher Education Section of the
Department of Education and Skills).
All invoices are signed off by two members of the
Management Committee of Mayo Education Centre.
Payments are made by electronic transfer and
independently verified twice.
All payments are subject to tax clearance certification
and the relevant tax deductions.

10. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Financial Management
Partner Organisations
All partner organisation (where applicable) are subject to
the controls and procedures aforementioned.
End of year budgets completed.
Plans for the future:
• more regular budget submissions
• actual vs targets
• cash flow analysis

11. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Final Comment
This project has been has been enormously successful with minimal funding and
maximum compliance. How?
▶▶ Teacher/school willingness to engage and take on the project.
▶▶ Motivation of staff on the project, constantly trying to improve the process.
▶▶ Welcoming school feedback and acting on it.
▶▶ Steering committee guidance and expertise.
▶▶ Commitment of screeners and accreditors.
▶▶ Department of Education annual grant and support
▶▶ Healthy Ireland support.
▶▶ Supporting partners: NGBs, sporting organisations, HSE.

12. www.activeschoolflag.ie
Thank You!