11/06/2009
Fire Chiefs Will Return 'Unauthorised' Salary Increases
The NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has apologised for increasing thousands of pounds in payments to three civilian directors, without the permission of the Department of Health.
NIFRS has attributed the unauthorised annual salary payments to a mistake. As a result, senior fire and rescue chiefs are due to return thousands of pounds.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, a confidential internal investigation said there had been a serious abuse of governance and "the required standards of propriety" because they have not followed clear procedures.
The newspaper said the internal audit concluded that the actions were "unsatisfactory and overall unreasonable", with serious concerns "regarding the apparent lapses in governance and management control at the NIFRS".
NIFRS stated they have immediately rectified the matter and they are taking legal advice "to comply with the due process of repayment."
Department of Health confirmed having ordered the NIFRS to remove the salary increases. It has also said that an authorised independent evaluation of the Directors posts will be conducted soon.
(AC/JM)
NIFRS has attributed the unauthorised annual salary payments to a mistake. As a result, senior fire and rescue chiefs are due to return thousands of pounds.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, a confidential internal investigation said there had been a serious abuse of governance and "the required standards of propriety" because they have not followed clear procedures.
The newspaper said the internal audit concluded that the actions were "unsatisfactory and overall unreasonable", with serious concerns "regarding the apparent lapses in governance and management control at the NIFRS".
NIFRS stated they have immediately rectified the matter and they are taking legal advice "to comply with the due process of repayment."
Department of Health confirmed having ordered the NIFRS to remove the salary increases. It has also said that an authorised independent evaluation of the Directors posts will be conducted soon.
(AC/JM)
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