Forensic accountants have been instructed to investigate why NI Water has been unable to live within it’s resourced budget allocation this year.
The decision by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins comes after NI Water informed the department of an estimated overspend of about £3m.
Kimmins said the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) had frequent engagement with NI Water throughout the year and had “given as many opportunities as possible to try and ensure they are doing everything they can to live within their budget.”
NI Water said it “will be working with DfI in line with Minister’s instructions”.
Speaking during a statement in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Kimmins said her department had allocated an opening resource budget of £137m to NI water which represented almost one quarter of the total resource allocation available to the department.
In addition to this, NI water also received £11.5m resources in year and £2.9m to deal with the aftermath of storm Éowyn.
“I think it’s hugely disappointing to me that despite ongoing engagement with the chair on the need to live within budget, the board of NI Water has decided not to take action to do so,” she said.
“I hope that everyone will recognise that my decision to appoint a forensic accountant is a necessary step, that takes a measured approach.”
The minister said protecting public funds is of the utmost importance, particularly in light of the wider pressures faced across all areas of public services.
“Difficult decisions are having to be made across all Departments and Arm’s Length Bodies and therefore it is essential that I fully understand the budgetary management decisions that the Board of NI Water has taken this year that have led to this disappointing outcome” she added.
