Education Support Centres are independent statutory bodies recognised under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998). Each Education Support Centre is responsible for preparing annual audited financial statements and submitting these to my Department. In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies each Education Support Centre should publish an annual report and audited financial statements each year, having first presented them to members at the AGM. All Education Support Centres are aware of their obligations in relation to the publishing of their financial statements and my Department will engage with the Centres in this regard.