Allister challenges funding lavished on North/South Institutions
01 August 2009
After last week exposing their exemption from the Freedom of Information Act, TUV Leader Jim Allister has returned to the subject of the north/south bodies, this time challenging the funds being lavished upon them.
Last year Mr Allister raised with the DFP Minister why, at a time of cuts and tough economic circumstances, not one penny had been refused to any north/south body, why their every financial demand had been rubber-stamped and why no efficiency savings had been required of them. The response from Nigel Dodds was to stall approval of their 2009 business plans and behind the scenes negotiations opened seeking efficiency savings. These have dragged on for months, meanwhile the funding flow to the bodies has continued, the legality of which Jim Allister has challenged because the North/South Implementing Bodies (NI) Order 1999 expressly requires DFP approval of all grants to each north/south institution. With the business plans not approved Mr Allister says current expenditure cannot be legal.
The detail of the issues is set out in Mr Allister's earlier statements below:-
http://www.jimallister.eu/default.asp?blogID=1291
http://www.jimallister.eu/default.asp?blogID=1440
http://www.jimallister.eu/default.asp?blogID=1516
Commenting further Mr Allister said, "One of the boasts of the DUP was that with devolution they would rein in the north/south bodies, yet we find that till I raised the subject their every financial demand was meekly met. Now, it is taking months to even get the most modest of efficiency savings approved. Meanwhile they are allowed to spend, spend, spend with no regard to the fact that their 2009 business plans are not approved. Why? Just as with their avoidance of freedom of information scrutiny, they are being allowed to operate without proper financial oversight and restraint.
The £130m wasted on these bodies every year is a disgrace, with no value for money return. Just what has any of these north/south quangos produced for anyone in Northern Ireland. They can't even offer a balanced workforce and now they are being allowed to squander our money while our hospitals and schools scrimp and save."
