DSD YEAR END REPORTS AT 31 MARCH 2002
Q. Do you have a date for the implementation of the new IT system for CSA?
A. Some parts of the new system are working well, while others still have problems. We are hoping to launch the scheme this year, but cannot be definitive about a date yet.
Q. The targets for reducing losses from fraud have not been met can you explain that?
A. The losses due to fraud and error for the 12 months to 31 December 2001 is 7.9% for IS and 9.4% for JSA. There are a number of reasons for the increase in fraud. We feel that our staff are becoming more expert and therefore are tracing more fraud than before. Secondly the JSA register in particular has fallen and therefore the base we are working against is getting smaller. We are also carrying out a review of our security strategy and hope by the autumn of this year to bring forward further improvements.
Q. Because you are becoming more efficient you are catching more fraud, will the amounts of money recouped increase?
A. Yes, the number of prosecutions and the amount of money recouped should increase.
Q. Some of the accuracy figures are slightly down on target.
A. Again, the figures have since been updated. DLA is 93% (90%), JSA 94% (92%) and IB 93% (96%) and IS 88% (90%).
Q. Accuracy for IS always seems to be a weakness, is there any possibility of an improvement?
A. It is a complex benefit, and the Agency has been undergoing a major change programme of welfare reform which has affected it. The figure shown is caseload accuracy, which is a good indicator. However, this year we will be moving to financial accuracy, which will give us how much money is wrong. For example, a case would still be wrong if it was out by a penny. Financial indicators will enable us to concentrate on the bigger errors.
Q. Are you having problems with IT?
A. The new system for Attendance Allowance went live on 24th June, not 10th June as anticipated. It will be introduced for DLA and Invalid Care Allowance later in the year depending on the robustness of the first system. It is not a substantial problem for the disability benefits.
For Child Support it is a major problem.
Q. In relation to the Warm Homes scheme, is it possible for us to have a breakdown of the number of loft, cavity wall, hot tank, completions of heating systems etc. that have been done?
A. Yes we can provide those figures.
Q. The target of 1,200 for new build social housing is lower than a few years ago, are we talking in terms of reducing the target further? It is also not acceptable that the target has not been met.
A. We would also like to see more than a target of 1,200, but it is linked to the resources that are available. We were disappointed that we fell short of the on-site target. However, we diverted resources into the co-ownership scheme so we were able to apply the resources to impact on the need for new social housing. We still recognise the importance of addressing the target, and are continuing to explore mechanisms of the planning service and others for trying to speed up the process and enable us to meet the target in future years.
We have been bidding for additional resources for new social housing, we are exploring every opportunity including the return of money from sales. We will have to continue to press upon the Executive the significance of this issue and how in underpins a number of initiatives in the health, education and training and employment fields.
The figure is derived independently by the University of Ulster. We could supply you with a paper that states how they reach their figure.
Q. How many homes did the Housing Executive sell last year?
A. 4,300
Q. Is co-ownership viewed as value for money?
A. Yes it is. Co-ownership is helping those people who would otherwise not be able to afford to get into the private sector, and it is taking people off the waiting list for social housing.
Q. The target for applicants accepted as statutorily homeless being given secure permanent tenancies within three months has also been missed.
A. We have identified in the progress report some of the reasons for the increase in the number of homelessness which has in turn affected the ability to meet this target. It is a serious problem which unfortunately shows no sign of diminishing.
Q. The Committee is concerned at the reduction in the amounts of money that we are spending in renewal strategies. Are we not making a strong enough case?
A. We are getting additional resources in particular areas, e.g. Peace II and Urban. Where we haven't been able to secure the resources we would like would be through increases baseline budget. We continue to press for a higher level of investment for tackling social and economic need in those communities which are most deprived. Our strategies reiterate our commitment to target those areas in respect of investment.
Q. When is the Department going to flag up town centre regeneration as one of it's priorities?
A. We fully accept the need for additional resources. The spending review is currently going through, and the Chancellor is to announce the outcome nationally within the next 2 weeks. This will determine the NI figure that will be used by DFP to determine priorities within the block. The Committee has or will be given information by the centre in respect of public expenditure bids and priorities and will have an opportunity to give it's views to DFP. We will not know the outcome of this review until the autumn.
Under the Peace II programme, roughly £2million is going to go directly into town centre renewal.
Q. When will the Committee see the outcome of the strategy for reinvigoration that is with OFMDFM?
A. We have given further information to OFMDFM in May. We are pressing for an early decision, as is the Minister.
Q. When are we going to give sufficient money to advice centres?
A. We have been bidding for additional resources for advice centres, but we have not achieved the outcome that we wanted. In a previous year, because we were not successful in our bid for additional resources, we actually redirected resources from within (£950,000) to District Councils which has been maintained this year.
Q. Can you give us the reasons for the shortfall in clearance times for DLA and IB?
A. This is basically due to staff turnover and the resulting inexperience and training requirements. I can say that progress improved in the last part of the year and has continued this year.