NI Water based decisions on a budget allocation it did not have
Responding to the report, an NI Water spokesperson said it will study the report findings in detail when it is published.
They said that the report 'must be viewed in the context of a 27% funding gap compared to the level independently assessed as essential by the Utility Regulator as necessary to meet the Department for Infrastructure's Social and Environmental Guidance'.
'NI Water recognises the financial pressures facing DfI. However, if the proposed budget cannot be met, the Department and Utility Regulator must agree on what is realistically deliverable,' they added.
Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, Ms Kimmins said it is clear from the report, produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), that the NI Water board 'did not base its financial decisions on the budget that it had'.
'In other words, the amount allocated by the department. Instead, the board based those decisions on the larger amount that it felt was needed, despite not having that money to spend. PwC describes that as a 'significant limitation',' she told MLAs.
'I find it difficult to understand how a board can monitor operating costs when its budget is not aligned to the allocation from the department.
'That is clearly a fundamental flaw in oversight and governance processes.'
She added: 'While I appreciate that NI Water has a large number of variable costs that depend on issues outside its control, the report clearly highlights several issues relating to the fluctuations that could have been better controlled throughout the 2024/25 financial year.'
Ms Kimmins said she is intent on working closely with NI Water 'to help prevent such an occurrence in future years'.
'I am determined that the learning from this investigation will be useful for both parties, but it is essential that NI Water, like every other arms' length body, takes every opportunity, where it can, to live within its budget.
'The board needs to factor in affordability to all its decisions, alongside careful financial profiling, just as the department and other public bodies have to do.'
Stormont Infrastructure Committee chairwoman Deborah Erskine responded to the ministers' statement in the Assembly, calling it a 'whitewash'.
'This process cost the department thousands of pounds, yet it is a whitewash: it pinpoints themes that we knew would be the case before the forensic accountant even began work,' she said.
'Those themes can be replicated across a number of public bodies and in the spending profile of the public sector. Therefore, there is nothing new really.'
The DUP representative also pressed Ms Kimmins to come back to the Assembly with measurable targets for NI Water to meet the recommendations of the review.
Ms Kimmins rejected that claim, describing 'an important piece of work that has clearly identified areas for improvement'.
NI Water said in its statement: 'Persistent underinvestment in water and sewerage services is having wide reaching implications for Northern Ireland.
'Both the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Fiscal Council have recognised that current funding arrangements are not sustainable.
'The underfunding, which has continued since the creation of NI Water in 2007, means that key objectives and priorities that underpin the Programme for Government cannot be met under these arrangements.
'In March 2024, NIAO highlighted how historic underinvestment has led to serious capacity constraints across Northern Ireland's wastewater network. It also warned that the short-term funding model undermines long-term planning—underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive, expert-led review of funding and governance, and a coordinated, cross-departmental approach to infrastructure delivery.
'NI Water would welcome an Executive-led, fully funded, and realistic cross-departmental transition plan to simultaneously meet the objectives on housing, economic development, and the environment as set out in the Programme for Government.
'We remain ready to work with the Department, in conjunction with the Utility Regulator, and all relevant stakeholders to help shape and deliver a sustainable, joined-up solution.
'Prioritising one objective over others risks systemic failure, with profound consequences for the Programme for Government and the tough choices required to determine which outcomes in the current Price Control Determination should take precedence.
'NI Water's core mission remains unchanged: to deliver safe, reliable water and wastewater services that support existing homes and businesses, enable new housing and economic development, and protect the environment. These remain the three priorities that underpin the Programme for Government.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Senior Orangeman joins calls for unionist unity as DUP leader says division ‘has cost us dearly'
Harold Henning, the Orange Order's Deputy Grand Master, said cooperation between parties should be 'demanded', not just encouraged. It came as Gavin Robinson said division had cost unionism dearly. Although neither specifically mentioned electoral pacts, both want greater party co-operation in future elections. Northern Ireland is next due to go to the polls in the 2027 Assembly election. In some seats, such as Lagan Valley at the last Westminster poll, a split vote has seen a non-unionist candidate elected. Mr Henning, speaking at the Twelfth in Maghera, Co Londonderry, made a clear plea for unionist co-operation. 'I recognise that the Orange family is a broad church in terms of its political views - however, one thing all our members can agree on is that our interests are best served as citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,' he said. 'The leadership of this Institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-Union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government. 'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self-interest. 'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.' Twelfth celebrations get underway in Belfast Meanwhile, in a pre-Twelfth email to DUP members, Gavin Robinson said politicians must take note of the Orange Institution's "unifying power'. 'Across towns and villages, it brings together people from every walk of life, reminding us of the strength that comes when we stand side by side,' he said. 'That is a message unionism must learn from. We achieve more together than we do apart. 'Divided unionism has already cost us dearly. 'As we look ahead to Assembly and council elections in two years' time, we must explore how to maximise the pro-Union vote and return more unionist representatives, not fewer. 'The need for common purpose and cooperation has never been more obvious or more essential.' Meanwhile, South Antrim MP Robin Swann attacked the Windsor Framework during a speech at the Twelfth in Carnlough. In a direct message to Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Mr Swann said the Union is a commitment, not a convenience. 'The Windsor Framework does not restore our place fully in the UK internal market,' he said. 'It leaves Northern Ireland subject to foreign laws we cannot change. 'It carves a regulatory border between Larne and Stranraer, between Belfast and Ayrshire. 'It sends a message: That our place in the United Kingdom is conditional; that our rights as British citizens are somehow less equal than those across the water.' He added: 'The Framework may offer tweaks — but it does not solve the fundamental problem. Our economic, constitutional, and democratic rights remain compromised. 'So, we say to the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn - the Union is not a convenience - It is a commitment. 'And Northern Ireland must be fully, equally and permanently part of it, and you need to step up to the job you have been given.'
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
'Racist' bonfire with migrant dummies on a boat set on fire
A bonfire with a display of refugees in a boat was lit and is being treated as a hate incident. The model which shows a small boat with several figures inside has received widespread condemnation after it was set alight in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, last night. Under the boat, a sign said 'stop the boats', while another placard said: 'veterans before refugees'. Among those to hit out at it was Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell who said it was 'racist, threatening and offensive.' He added: 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. 'I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' Other critics include Sinn Fein's Assembly member Colm Gildernew who branded it 'vile' and 'deplorable'. A number of reports to police were made about the bonfire and the material on it and they are investigating it as a hate incident. The PSNI statement added: 'Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. 'We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists.' Moygashel Bonfire Committee said the bonfire 'topper' should not be seen as 'racist, threatening or offensive' and it is 'expressing our disgust at the ongoing crisis that is illegal immigration'. More Trending Bonfires like these are lit annually each year in some unionist areas across Northern Ireland in July to usher in the Twelfth of July, the main date in the parading season. The majority are lit on the eleventh night and the twelfth night commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when the Protestant King William III defeated Catholic King James II. The Moygashel bonfire has been known for its controversial displays in the past. A mock police car was burnt on top of the bonfire last year and in 2023, a boat designed to represent the post-Brexit Irish Sea economic border was torched. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman charged with murder after man dies in house fire MORE: 'Beautiful and much-loved' mum and daughter, 6, killed in car crash named MORE: Rail ticket gives unlimited travel in 24 countries from £34 — but you need to be quick
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Strike action threat could derail golf fans heading to The Open in Portrush
Around 280,000 spectators are expected at the North Coast venue over the tournament and practice days, which will be the biggest sporting event ever to be held in the country. The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has said strike action is planned for Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, for some of its members, which could halt Translink's rail service to the town. Strike action is part of an ongoing pay dispute with Translink. An offer to settle, received on Wednesday from Translink, was rejected by members, with services across Northern Ireland set to be affected. Members who work in supervisor grades (including railway controllers), as well as clerical, management, professional and technical grades (MPT), overwhelmingly voted for both strike action and action short of a strike. Within supervisor grades at NI Railways, over 90% voted in favour of strike action, with similar results in other areas, including Ulsterbus and management grades at NI Railways, with over 80% support. 'We are keen to meet Translink to resolve the ongoing disputes for all our members,' said TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust. 'However, so far, the company has only made an inadequate offer to the supervisor grades and completely ignored our clerical and MPT members. This is not the way to resolve a pay dispute. 'I met the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, last week to impress the urgency of this issue. 'Regrettably, it seems that both Translink and the minister are sitting on their hands and hoping that these disputes will go away. That's simply not going to happen. 'Ultimately the responsibility for any disruption during The Open rests with Translink and the minister. 'All we are asking for is the same deal that has been offered to other staff in Translink. The company is trying to fob us off with less, but TSSA members have shown, with their overwhelming support in the ballot for strike action, that they are not prepared to accept that. 'TSSA urges Translink to return to the table immediately with a fair and meaningful offer for all our members. Otherwise, we'll see them on the picket line.' If the industrial action goes ahead, it would involve widespread disruption to rail services, not just in Portrush. Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? Translink has planned special buses and trains to Portrush, while maintaining approximately 13,000 services a day across the network. The first official practice day at The Open is Sunday, with the four-day championship teeing-off on Thursday. About 300 Translink workers are in the union, which issued a warning last month that events such as The Open could be impacted if members take industrial action due to no settlement having been agreed. A Translink spokesperson said: 'We continue to engage with our trade union TSSA to reach an agreement that will not impact passenger services.' 'The union and Translink are still in negotiations in the hope a resolution can still be found ahead of next week's tournament. 'Thousands of golf fans are expected to travel from the Republic of Ireland, with the more frequent train service to and from Dublin making transportation to and from the venue easier.'
