Under the current system in operation for the bulk purchase of quantities of materials at Glenveagh National Park, tenders are invited from businesses wishing to supply and deliver various materials to the park. The normal tender selection procedures are followed and contracts are placed with the most suitable suppliers.
Project details, including proposed materials and estimated overall project costs are submitted at the beginning of each year for approval by regional and senior management. Only materials required for approved projects are ordered. All expenditure is monitored on an ongoing basis by regional and senior management.
Sections of Government Departments are not required to complete audited accounts. All accounts or transactions kept by the Department are subject to random examination by the internal audit unit of the Department and the Department's appropriation account is subject to the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
There were no queries from the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding this element of the Department's 2001 appropriation account. Applications under the new house grant scheme, which was terminated as and from 14 November 2002, were required to be received in my Department on or before 4 December 2002. As no application was received on or before that date, a new house grant cannot be allowed in this case.