Mr. Brian Purcell:

On the basis of the audit work carried out and the evidence presented, our internal audit was of the view that the systems of internal control operating within Rehab in respect of fund-raising and information to the Department was adequate and was being effectively applied. The report recommends that a funding contract specifically state the deliverables and the reporting and monitoring processes in place. The report also found that some of the cost to which the charitable lotteries funding had applied appears to have been of an administrative nature and the recommendations were that allowable costs and the specific use of the funds should be clearly defined and agreed annually. The report noted that the Rehab lottery had high costs. The internal audit recommended that ongoing funding to the scheme required that findings and recommendations outlined by it be taken into consideration.

The various elements of cost that were included there would have been accreditation and professional subscriptions, professional fees, advertising and hospitality associated with advocacy and lobbying. It was the audit's opinion that some of the costs would not be in line with the condition that the grant could not be used for administrative purposes.