Menu
29/01/2002
Department of Agriculture told to get to grips with fraudsters
A huge increase in compensation payouts to farmers with brucellosis-infected cattle in Northern Ireland has been criticised by a Stormont Assembly committee.
In a report published on Tuesday, January 29, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it was greatly concerned at the increased compensation payments for brucellosis-infected herds which have risen over the past five years from £200,000 in 1996 to £22.5 million in 2001.
The committee chaired by Billy Bell said the committee was very concerned over evidence that some farmers were deliberately infecting their herds.
In the report the committee said evidence, discovered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in five cases where farmers deliberately introduced the disease to take advantage of the compensation on offer, was cause for great concern.
The PAC report states the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development must get to grips with the situation and that there must be "no acceptable level of fraud".
PAC chairman Billy Bell, said he was also greatly concerned at the increased value that was placed on infected herds. In one example, a herd previously priced at £375,00 by DARD was raised to £1.4 million on appeal. A subsequent re-evaluation of the herd then reduced this £275,00.
"Clearly there are serious shortcomings within the compensation and appeals system which need to be addressed, " Mr Bell added. "It is wholly unacceptable, given the many demands on scarce public funds, that the Department has to waste such large sums on unproductive compensation payments.
However, DARD has rejected criticism by the assembly's public accounts committee of its handling of brucellosis.
Agriculture minister Bríd Rodgers said the department was tackling the threat of brucellosis rigorously and had zero tolerance of fraud.
Brucellosis is a highly infectious disease which causes cows to abort. It also poses a risk to people working with cattle, leading to recurring bouts of fever. (AMcE)
In a report published on Tuesday, January 29, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it was greatly concerned at the increased compensation payments for brucellosis-infected herds which have risen over the past five years from £200,000 in 1996 to £22.5 million in 2001.
The committee chaired by Billy Bell said the committee was very concerned over evidence that some farmers were deliberately infecting their herds.
In the report the committee said evidence, discovered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in five cases where farmers deliberately introduced the disease to take advantage of the compensation on offer, was cause for great concern.
The PAC report states the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development must get to grips with the situation and that there must be "no acceptable level of fraud".
PAC chairman Billy Bell, said he was also greatly concerned at the increased value that was placed on infected herds. In one example, a herd previously priced at £375,00 by DARD was raised to £1.4 million on appeal. A subsequent re-evaluation of the herd then reduced this £275,00.
"Clearly there are serious shortcomings within the compensation and appeals system which need to be addressed, " Mr Bell added. "It is wholly unacceptable, given the many demands on scarce public funds, that the Department has to waste such large sums on unproductive compensation payments.
However, DARD has rejected criticism by the assembly's public accounts committee of its handling of brucellosis.
Agriculture minister Bríd Rodgers said the department was tackling the threat of brucellosis rigorously and had zero tolerance of fraud.
Brucellosis is a highly infectious disease which causes cows to abort. It also poses a risk to people working with cattle, leading to recurring bouts of fever. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 August 2010
NAMA Applauded At Stormont
There has been high-level support expressed for the work of the Irish Republic's National Asset Management Agency, (NAMA) and its impact on NI finances.
NAMA Applauded At Stormont
There has been high-level support expressed for the work of the Irish Republic's National Asset Management Agency, (NAMA) and its impact on NI finances.
31 January 2011
NIHE Winter Woes Back In Focus
Harsh weather compensation is in the news again as a Sinn Fein MLA and member of the Stormont Social Development Committee seeks clarification with regards to a compensation scheme for those NI Housing Executive tenants who had their property damaged as a result of the severe winter weather over Christmas.
NIHE Winter Woes Back In Focus
Harsh weather compensation is in the news again as a Sinn Fein MLA and member of the Stormont Social Development Committee seeks clarification with regards to a compensation scheme for those NI Housing Executive tenants who had their property damaged as a result of the severe winter weather over Christmas.
02 September 2013
Changes Made To Blue Badge Rules For Service Personnel
Ulster Unionist Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, has announced plans for automatic eligibility for a Blue Badge for Service Personnel in receipt of benefits under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The Minister said: "Thousands of people all over Northern Ireland benefit from my Department's Blue Badge Scheme.
Changes Made To Blue Badge Rules For Service Personnel
Ulster Unionist Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, has announced plans for automatic eligibility for a Blue Badge for Service Personnel in receipt of benefits under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. The Minister said: "Thousands of people all over Northern Ireland benefit from my Department's Blue Badge Scheme.
02 July 2012
Ulster Bank Customers 'Put To Back Of RBS Queue'
RBS Group has been accused of putting Northern Ireland customers "to the back of the queue" as they face entering a third week of account problems at Ulster Bank. NI Shadow Secretary of State Vernon Coaker said the banking group, which owns Ulster Bank, had "serious questions" to answer for the way customers here have been treated.
Ulster Bank Customers 'Put To Back Of RBS Queue'
RBS Group has been accused of putting Northern Ireland customers "to the back of the queue" as they face entering a third week of account problems at Ulster Bank. NI Shadow Secretary of State Vernon Coaker said the banking group, which owns Ulster Bank, had "serious questions" to answer for the way customers here have been treated.
05 May 2004
Fraudulent claims cost £5m from public funds
A scheme aimed at compensating individuals affected by terrorism in Northern Ireland is believed to have cost public funds more than £5 million in fraudulent claims.
Fraudulent claims cost £5m from public funds
A scheme aimed at compensating individuals affected by terrorism in Northern Ireland is believed to have cost public funds more than £5 million in fraudulent claims.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
