08/11/2018
Stormont Fund For Disadvantaged Areas Did Not Operate Transparently
A Stormont fund to aid disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland did not operate transparently and had "significant failings", according to a report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO).
The £93million Social Investment Fund (SIF), which was administered by the Executive Office, was allocated to support projects tackling deprivation.
The audit was published today, 08 November, by the Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly, and identifies "a number of serious concerns" in the initial stages of the fund, including "conflicts of interest which were not always appropriately dealt with".
It also highlights "significant failings in the governance framework" that underpin the initiative, and reveals that the Executive Office "does not hold a clear audit trail in relation to the award of public funding".
The report concludes by urging that lessons are learned and improvements made when similar public spending schemes are developed, and makes seven clear recommendations including the Executive Office holding documentation "to justify why decisions were made and demonstrate that assessment processes have been applied fairly, consistently and transparently".
Mr Donnelly added that the findings over the governance of the scheme are "very concerning".
"The importance of good administration and ensuring conflicts of interest are adequately handled should be well understood in the public sector," he said.
"But in the case of the SIF, the guidance produced by the department was inadequate, there was little evidence that procedures were followed, and a number of conflicts weren't declared.
"Evidence from my audit work across the public sector suggests there is a role for additional expertise to support good governance and maintaining high standards."
(JG)
The £93million Social Investment Fund (SIF), which was administered by the Executive Office, was allocated to support projects tackling deprivation.
The audit was published today, 08 November, by the Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly, and identifies "a number of serious concerns" in the initial stages of the fund, including "conflicts of interest which were not always appropriately dealt with".
It also highlights "significant failings in the governance framework" that underpin the initiative, and reveals that the Executive Office "does not hold a clear audit trail in relation to the award of public funding".
The report concludes by urging that lessons are learned and improvements made when similar public spending schemes are developed, and makes seven clear recommendations including the Executive Office holding documentation "to justify why decisions were made and demonstrate that assessment processes have been applied fairly, consistently and transparently".
Mr Donnelly added that the findings over the governance of the scheme are "very concerning".
"The importance of good administration and ensuring conflicts of interest are adequately handled should be well understood in the public sector," he said.
"But in the case of the SIF, the guidance produced by the department was inadequate, there was little evidence that procedures were followed, and a number of conflicts weren't declared.
"Evidence from my audit work across the public sector suggests there is a role for additional expertise to support good governance and maintaining high standards."
(JG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 March 2024
Executive Agrees Increase In Regional Rate For 2024/25
The Executive has agreed an increase in the regional rate for 2024/25, to rise is line with inflation. If substantially approved by the Assembly, the regional rate element of the bill would add 46p per week to the bill for a domestic property with an average capital value of £123,000 and £10.
Executive Agrees Increase In Regional Rate For 2024/25
The Executive has agreed an increase in the regional rate for 2024/25, to rise is line with inflation. If substantially approved by the Assembly, the regional rate element of the bill would add 46p per week to the bill for a domestic property with an average capital value of £123,000 and £10.
25 March 2024
Executive Sends Best Wishes To Princess Of Wales
The Executive have sent their best wishes to the Princess of Wales following her recent cancer diagnosis. First Minister, Michelle O'Neill said: "I was very sorry to hear of the Princess of Wales' illness and I want to wish her well with her ongoing medical treatment and a full and speedy recovery.
Executive Sends Best Wishes To Princess Of Wales
The Executive have sent their best wishes to the Princess of Wales following her recent cancer diagnosis. First Minister, Michelle O'Neill said: "I was very sorry to hear of the Princess of Wales' illness and I want to wish her well with her ongoing medical treatment and a full and speedy recovery.
22 March 2024
Executive Commits £150m To Deliver Strule Campus
The Executive has announced funding of £150 million over the next three years to deliver the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh. The Strule Campus has been described as "a pioneering project" that will provide a state-of-the-art shared centre of learning.
Executive Commits £150m To Deliver Strule Campus
The Executive has announced funding of £150 million over the next three years to deliver the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh. The Strule Campus has been described as "a pioneering project" that will provide a state-of-the-art shared centre of learning.
22 March 2024
Richard Pengelly Appointment 'Raises A Number Of Questions' – SDLP
The SDLP Opposition at Stormont has said that the appointment of Richard Pengelly as Chief Executive of the Education Authority "raised a number of questions". Mr Pengelly, who has been working as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice, was appointed to the new role on Thursday 21 March, by Education Minister Paul Givan.
Richard Pengelly Appointment 'Raises A Number Of Questions' – SDLP
The SDLP Opposition at Stormont has said that the appointment of Richard Pengelly as Chief Executive of the Education Authority "raised a number of questions". Mr Pengelly, who has been working as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice, was appointed to the new role on Thursday 21 March, by Education Minister Paul Givan.
13 February 2024
UK Govt Outlines Full Details Of £3.3bn NI Spending Settlement
The UK Government has outlined the full details of the £3.3 billion spending settlement for Northern Ireland in a letter sent to Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
UK Govt Outlines Full Details Of £3.3bn NI Spending Settlement
The UK Government has outlined the full details of the £3.3 billion spending settlement for Northern Ireland in a letter sent to Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.