Rapid Response Capacity
The Northern Ireland Civil Service should have regard to best practice elsewhere about how to respond effectively when serious problems emerge, such as those that did so with the non-domestic NI RHI in the summer of 2015, by, for example, establishing a parallel investigatory team and/or developing a specialist capacity within the internal audit service that can be rapidly deployed to assess the situation.
- The NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024) assessed this recommendation as Implemented, stating that rapid response investigation capacity had been established through the Government Internal Audit and Fraud Investigation Service (GIAFIS) with 17 trained investigators, and that cross-departmental teams can be assembled for large-scale investigations (NIAO Second Progress Report, October 2024).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
Accepted[Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 8-18, 24, 26-28, 32b, 34-36 together as a group under the 'Professional Skills, Resourcing, Record Keeping and Raising Concerns' themes.] NI Executive Response (October 2021): These recommendations can be accepted in full. They have been partially addressed through: the revision of the NICS Code of Ethics; the GIAFIS review of whistleblowing; the Leadership Development training for senior officials. Further work is required to: implement the remaining recommendations of the GIAFIS review; Launch and promote the revised NICS Code of Ethics; develop an encompassing 'Raising Concerns' policy informed by the NIAO Good Practice Guide; Provide appropriate guidance to managers, staff and the public about addressing concerns in the NICS; endorse a culture of curiosity and challenge; enhance the role of Departmental Boards, including the role of NEDs and Ministers, and review the remit and agenda of Boards.
Progress Timeline
NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024): Implemented. Rapid response investigation capacity established through GIAFIS with 17 trained investigators. Cross-departmental teams can be assembled for larger investigations.