Supplementary memorandum from the Northern
Ireland Audit Office
Question 32. (Chairman)
I said I would provide the Chairman with an
explanation for the 98% increase in my Office's travel costs between
2002-03 and 2003--04.
This does not of course correspond to a dramatic
increase in the volume of travel undertaken by our staff. 2003-04
was the first year of operation of the expanded Office and these
costs largely reflect the restructuring to bring in the Health
Audit function and the Local Government Auditors, who because
of their coverage of 26 councils within Northern Ireland, have
always had a significant volume of travel. Almost 60% of the increase
relates to the amalgamation of the audit functions effective from
1 April 2003 and relates primarily to Local Government Audit.
Our central government office travel expenses
when compared directly with the previous year have also increased
around 40%. This is, on the face of it, a significant increase.
However, 13% relates to work undertaken with the Bulgarian Audit
Office in that year, 12% relates to secondments and closer liaison
with the National Audit Office and a further 9% relates to taking
my reports to you at Westminster following the suspension of devolution.
I trust this information will explain to the
Chairman the reasons for the unusually high increase in travel
costs in 2003-04.
J M Dowdall CB
Comptroller & Auditor General
7 March 2005
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