NI Covid-19 response cost £6.2billion
The estimated cost is outlined in an Audit Office report.
Responding to the health and economic crises caused by covid-19 in Northern Ireland has cost £6.2billion.
A new report by the Audit Office has calculated that this is how much was spent between Stormont departments and Westminster, in dealing with the pandemic and its’ repercussions in Northern Ireland.
The report by Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly estimated that devolved government spent £3.9billion, while financial help from Westminster totalled £2.3billion by March 31 2021.
Who spent the money?
Department of Health: £1.06billion.
Department of Finance: £1.03billion.
Department for the Economy: £0.95billion.
Westminster spend includes £1.5 billion to fund the furlough job retention scheme.
One year on...
Mr Donnelly said it comes soon after the anniversary of the pandemic in February.
“One year on and the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on our lives,” he said.
“Hospitals have been operating at almost full capacity and many non-Covid-19 related services (including cancer services) have had to be postponed.
“The impact on our economy has been profound with a drop in economic output of around 10% over 2020.
“Wellbeing has suffered as we comply with restrictions and tragically, many lives have been lost.”
Decisions made “at pace”
The audit report also shows so-called “ministerial directions”, which means authorising spending without the normal red-tape, were used more times during the pandemic than they were in the last decade.
The report said: “Ministerial Directions direct Accounting Officers to proceed with a spending proposal, despite concerns that the spending may breach regularity or propriety principles or may represent poor value for money.
“Over the period from March 2020 to May 24 2021, 27 Covid-19 related Ministerial Directions were notified to the NI Assembly Public Accounts Committee.
“This is more than the total number of Ministerial Directions issued in the previous 10 years.
“All of the Ministerial Directions issued during this period related to the risk of poor value for money.
“This was generally because of the pace at which the schemes were designed and delivered, with limited opportunity to carry out the normal appraisal procedures and an increased risk of fraud and error.''