The management of social housing rent collection and arrears
The Northern Ireland social housing sector comprises approximately 115,000 dwellings. Of these, 88,000 are owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and around 27,000 by Housing Associations. In 2006-07, the total rent collectable in respect of these properties was £344 million (£258 million by NIHE and £86 million by Associations).
Our report will examine the performance of the social landlords in NI in terms of preventing arrears, maximising rental income collected and recovering arrears where they do arise. It will also review: the extent to which good practice is being applied; the potential of new strategies being implemented by NIHE to improve performance; and the scope to introduce better procedures in both NIHE and in the Associations.
We aim to publish in 2008.
Contact:
Eddie Bradley (Director)
Tel: (028 9025 1011), Email eddie.bradleyr@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Ursula Moyna (Audit Manager)
Tel:(028 9025 1010), E Mail ursula.moyna@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Valence Technology
Valence Technology, a US owned company, approached the former Industrial Development Board (IDB) in 1993, requesting financial assistance for a project involving the creation of a new, large-scale battery manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland. The company received an offer of £27.3 million financial assistance from IDB and other Government bodies, based on an overall investment of £147 million and the promise of 660 jobs by
Between 1993 and 2003, the company experienced a range of difficulties and never achieved its production or employment targets. In August 2003,
We are examining this project to determine whether there are any lessons to be learned for future inward investment projects.
We aim to publish in 2008.
Contact:
Robert Hutcheson (Director)
Tel: 028 9025 1024, Email: robert.hutcheson@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Alan Orme (Audit Manager)
Tel: 028 9025 1136, Email: alan.orme@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Control of Bovine Tuberculosis
One of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s aims is to improve the health status of Northern Ireland livestock. Since 1997 there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland. The Department is responsible for a Bovine Tuberculosis surveillance programme aimed at eradicating the disease. The programme currently costs over £20 million a year.
Our review will examine:
- compliance of the Department’s Tuberculosis programme with relevant EU Directives
- the effectiveness of the programme in the control and eradication of the disease
- the costs incurred in delivering the programme, including expenditure on disease testing, research and compensation paid to owners of infected animals.
We aim to publish in 2008.
Contact:
Robert Hutcheson (Director)
Tel: 028 9025 1024; Email: robert.hutcheson@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Jacqueline O'Brien (Audit Manager)
Tel: 028 9025 1056; Email: jacqueline.obrien@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Shared Services for Efficiency - A Progress Report
The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) departments are currently undertaking a major programme of reform. This reform programme was launched in October 2004 with the publication of “Fit for Purpose: The reform agenda in the
Our report will provide a progress report, to the end of December 2007, on the delivery of these projects. It will include an examination of how DFP has assessed and managed the main risks.
It will not however, make an assessment of value for money for each project. But given their significance to the NICS programme of reform, we will continue to monitor their implementation with a view to providing further assurance reports to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
We aim to publish our report by July 2008.
Brandon McMaster (Director)
Tel: (028 9025 1077), Email brandon.mcmaster@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Sean Beattie (Audit Manager)
Tel: (028 9025 1091), Email sean.beattie@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Delivering Pathology Services: The PFI Laboratory and Pharmacy Centre at Altnagelvin
Altnagelvin Area Hospital is part of the Western Health and Social Care Trust and is the largest acute hospital in Northern Ireland, outside of Belfast. The development of the Laboratory and Pharmacy Services Centre is a key component of a major redevelopment programme which is currently underway within the Altnagelvin complex. The Centre was funded through a public/private partnership and the capital value of the contract equates to around £15.2 million, with annual unitary payments of around £1.6 million over its 25 year life. A further £3.1 million was also invested by the public sector in providing a range of specialised equipment for the Centre.
The focus of our review is Phase 2 of the Altnagelvin redevelopment programme – the Laboratory and Pharmacy Services Centre. In particular the review will examine:
- The case for a new Laboratory and Pharmacy Services Centre at Altnagelvin;
- The decision to deliver the building through a public/private partnership and the use made of an exemplar model; and
- The project management and delivery; including the support from advisors, timetable and delivery of the Centre.
We intend to publish by Summer 2008.
Brandon McMaster (Director)
Tel: (028 9025 1077), Email brandon.mcmaster@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Sean Beattie (Audit Manager)
Tel: (028 9025 1091), Email sean.beattie@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Irish Sport Horse: Transfer and Disposal of Assets
Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit (Sport Horse) was established in 1996 as an innovative elite horse breeding project. The company received £3.2 million grant from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reported in March 2001 on weaknesses in project selection and appraisal and serious conflicts of interest in the operation of the company. PAC held a second hearing in September 2001 at which further concerns were raised about DARD’s 25-year £500,000 lease agreement for the Necarne estate in Co. Fermanagh, at which Sport Horse was based.
Sport Horse ceased trading in July 2001 and all remaining assets - 34 horses, a stock of frozen horse semen and an Equine Reproductive Technology Centre at Necarne were transferred to DARD.
Our review will focus on:
- the leasing arrangements for the Necarne estate
- the disposal of assets transferred from Sport Horse
- the circumstances in which part of the semen stock was destroyed, the value of the loss and DARD’s handling of a subsequent Freedom of Information request.
We aim to publish in 2008.
Contact:
Robert Hutcheson (Director)
Tel: 028 9025 1024, Email: robert.hutcheson@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Jacqueline O’Brien (Audit Manager)
Tel: 028 9025 1056, Email: jacqueline.obrien@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Tel: 028 9025 1024, Email: robert.hutcheson@niauditoffice.gov.uk
Jacqueline O’Brien (Audit Manager)
Tel: 028 9025 1056, Email: jacqueline.obrien@niauditoffice.gov.uk