asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of accountants who are engaged by his Department; and if he has satisfied himself that adequate financial control exists within his Department.
Written Answers. - Departmental Accountants.
58.
There is one professional accountant employed by my Department with the rank of Professional Accountant Grade 1. In addition many of the staff employed in the clerical, executive and administrative grades have received training and have qualifications in this and in other relevant areas. I am satisfied with the standards of experience, training and qualifications of the staff of my Department in the area of financial control.
There are systems of internal control, including financial control, in all areas of the Department. Furthermore, there is a Section within the Department—with a staff complement of 13 — with specific responsibility for internal control, including financial control, in relation to the administration of the unemployment benefit and assistance schemes at local exchanges and offices.
The Department has an internal audit unit whose task is to review on a continuing basis administration of the Department's payment systems. The unit has been directing a comprehensive programme of audit of the Department's systems, both in headquarter's areas and in employment exchanges. Where weaknesses in financial controls have been identified in these audits they are being given attention by management. The unit has been strengthened during the past year — 11 staff including a Principal and two assistant Principals are now employed on this work — with the result that the range and quality of auditing activity is being continually advanced.
The administration of the social security system involving the pay-out of approximately £2.6 billion to almost 750,000 weekly recipients is a huge operation with staff under continuous pressure to maintain the service. Of its nature it imposes the need for continual examination to enable the most modern methods to be applied in improving delivery of services to clients and in ensuring that scope for abuse of the service is eliminated. These changes bring with them the need for the development of new and different types of financial control. I am satisfied that structures exist within my Department which ensure both adequate application and monitoring of financial controls and that where the need for change arises effective remedial action is taken.