NI housing benefit fraud up to £29m
- Published
Benefit fraud has increased to almost £88m, 1.5% of the overall benefit's budget
A sharp rise in housing benefit fraud and overpayments is highlighted in the latest Northern Ireland Audit Office report. , external
The report also raises concerns about the future cost of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme.
Benefit fraud has increased to almost £88m, 1.5% of the overall benefit's budget.
Housing benefit fraud and overpayments rose sharply to £28.7m.
It also focuses on the non-domestic RHI scheme, highlighting 788 applications accepted at a time when there was no approval in place from the Department of Finance.
An Audit Office spokesman said this resulted in £18.8m of irregular spending and that the problem may continue annually until 2038, when the scheme closes.
The report suggests nearly half of the £22m owed by fine defaulters to the courts is unlikely ever to be recovered.
A former Armagh Planetarium director is also criticised over the misuse of credit cards and the procedures used to purchase high tech equipment including a drone.