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Report scathing over EU 'rip off' Report lists catalogue of errors
(about 10 hours later)
Two government departments have been strongly criticised in a new report. The assembly's public accounts committee says government departments must learn lessons from its latest report.
The Stormont Public Accounts Committee said an employer's association that received public funds was, in effect, ripping off European Union peace funds. It highlights failures in the public appointment process and the management of public funds.
The committee report examined the now-defunct Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland - which was found to have misappropriated public funds. At a news conference at Stormont on Monday, the committee members warned they expected change.
But the Dept of Culture and the Dept of Education and Learning were weak in dealing with this, the report said. They condemned two governnment departments for what they called an astonishing catalogue of shortcomings.
The association which ceased trading in 1998, over-claimed from the EU scheme, Select - in some cases double and triple claiming salary costs. The report examines the misappropriation of public funds in the now defunct Hospitality Association.
In another multi-skilling scheme, the training manager Catherine Williamson was found to have obtained false invoices on at least two occasions. It condemns the Department of Employment and Learning for appointing the Association's training manager Catherine Williamson to seven public bodies, despite evidence she had obtained false invoices on at least two occasions.
Public office The report also condemns the Department of Culture and Learning for failing to deal with a conflict of interest that arose when Mrs Williamson joined the Northern Ireland Events Company and won a public relations contract from one of its clients.
But the committee was disturbed to learn she was subsequently appointed to public office on seven separate occasions. Mrs Williamson has denied committing any fraud, insists she has not had a fair hearing and says she was misadvised by the Department of Culture on the conflict of interest.
It condemned the Department of Employment and Learning for judging her behaviour compatible with public office. Committee member John Dallat said civil servants should note the 42 recommendations for change.
Mrs Williamson was appointed to the board of the Northern Ireland Events Company, where she was involved in a major conflict of interest when she tendered for and won a substantial public relations contract for a sporting event the company was supporting.
The committee has also criticised the Department of Culture, which was responsible for the Events Company, for a "weak and ineffective" response to this situation.
The committee also accuses both government departments of showing poor judgement and an unwillingness to sort out problems.