Waterford Council speak on Winterval overspend
Photo: Joe Evans
A recently released audit for the year ending December 31 2024, noted the need for considerable improvement in cash handling and financial controls of the Winterval festival.
The audit noted poor budgetary and accounting controls, increased costs associated with the appointment of a contractor as festival director and additional costs incurred for severe weather damage and security.
Arising from the review of funds, an issue was further investigated and formally reported to An Garda Siochana.
Speaking on the matter directly last week, Acting Director of Services with Waterford Council, Claire Hartley, said that the Winterval overspend in 2024 was closer to the tune of €400,000, as opposed to the €800,000 that was previously reported.
“Winterval is now an event that costs €750,000 to stage with an income of €400,000" she said.
“There have been reports in the media with lots of figures, many of which are not true. The overspend was never €800,000, it was more to the tune of €400,000."
"There was a very healthy budget for Winterval 2025 which was delivered within budget and we’re planning for Winterval 2026 to again be delivered in budget" she added.
Meanwhile, councillor Donal Barry, expressed serious concern over the findings in the audit.
Making reference to both Winterval overspend, and inadequacies in a recent NTA report regarding Active Travel, Cllr Barry said,
"The fact that elected members and the public only learned through the external auditor’s report of a €500,000 overspend on Winterval 2024... in my opinion represents a serious governance failure within this Council.
"That raises a fundamental question about consistency, and respect for the role of elected members.
"Governance standards exist to ensure transparency and accountability, and in this instance those standards were not met" he said.
