Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when the terms of reference for the recent report by Deloitte into alleged fraud at NI Water will be made public.
Minister for Infrastructure: The issue you have raised is an operational matter for NI Water; however, I have sought the required information. NI Water have advised Deloitte were commissioned to carry out an investigation to assess if there was any evidence of fraudulent activity and to highlight recommended actions to strengthen internal controls. The terms of reference for the completed investigated covered 4 allegation areas as follows:
Contracted work paid for by NI Water but works not carried out by contractor(s);
Direct award of contracts over £5,000 to contractors without following NI Water’s policy;
Unregistered subcontractors working on remedial repairs under contract;
Recently commissioned or refurbished sites, by external contractors, from the capital/asset side of the business were not “defect free” on completion”.
For any future queries relating to operational matters, you should contact NI Water directly, through the Elected Representatives Hotline on 0345 300 6461 or through waterline@niwater.com . Making direct contact with NI Water will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of limited public resources.
ENDS
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