Freedom of Information

Date of response:
October 2012

Request:
"Under the Freedom of Information I request the following information:

1. a copy of the Notice of Suspension of Fraud against FAIR within your Department (SEUPB) notified to the PSNI and OFMDFM and any other body or person
2. notification to FAIR of suspicion of Fraud."

Outcome:

Date of response:
September 2012

Request:
"I now request the provision of the following information under the terms of current Freedom of Information legislation applicable in Northern Ireland.

1. In 2010, whilst utilising the services of the Central Investigation Service (DARD)  in respect of issues concerning FAIR, was the SEUPB and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Pat Colgan aware the activities of this particular department and its head, Mr Thomas McCauley were or had been the subject of an investigation commissioned by the then DARD Permanent Secretary, Mr Gerry Lavery.
2. If so why did the SEUPB and its Chief Executive officer continue to engage CIS to investigate the FAIR issue .
3. Did the SEUPB receive a copy of the Deloitte Report which detailed the findings of the investigation into CIS and its head of department, Mr Thomas McCauley.
4. What actions, if any, did SEUPB take if it received the Deloitte Report in respect of the investigation into the activities of CIS and its head of department, Mr Thomas McCauley involvement in actions relative to FAIR.
5. A written copy of all advice/recommendations given to the SEUPB by CIS/Mr T McCauley in respect of all actions to be initiated against FAIR by the SEUPB as a direct result of all audits/investigations carried out into the Victims group.
6. In light of the 2010 investigation and subsequent Deloitte Report into the activities of CIS and its head, Mr Thomas McCauley does the SEUPB and its Chief Executive Officer still endorse all advice/recommendations provided to them by this department in respect of all matters and subsequent actions taken against FAIR.
7. A copy of the SEUPB letter dated 12/10/10 which referred the FAIR issues to the PSNI for investigation.
8. Names of and the positions held by Consortium staff who provided advice, guidance and training on procurement matters to FAIR on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
9. The venues/locations where advice,guidance and training was delivered by the Consortium to FAIR on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
10. The names of FAIR members and staff who received advice, guidance and training on procurement matters from the Consortium on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
11. Hard copies of all letters, emails, minutes of meetings and reports involving the representatives/officials of the SEUPB, the OFMDFM, the Department of Finance and Personnel (NI), the department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) or any other NI Executive department in relation to all investigations initiated and carried out by the above named parties into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12
12. Hard copies of all letters and emails exchanged between the SEUPB and Central Investigation Service (DARD) in respect of all issues relating to, and investigations carried out into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12
13. Hard copies of all findings and reports provided to the SEUPB by Central Investigation Service (DARD) in respect of all investigations carried out by CIS into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12.
14. Hard copies of all Central Investigation Service/Northern Ireland government departments correspondence detailing actions to be initiated against FAIR as a direct result of investigations carried out into the victims group during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12.
15. Hard copies of all correspondence either received or sent by the SEUPB in October/November 2010 stating police had confirmed/stated a 'prima facie' case existed in respect of FAIR.   
16. Hard copies of all correspondence, emails, minutes of meetings and reports involving representatives of the SEUPB and the Consortium (Community Relations Council/Pobal) in respect of all matters concerning FAIR during the period 4/10/09 - 29/8/12.
17. Dates and findings of all SEUPB initiated audits during 2010 into the actions/activities of the victims group FAIR .
18. The names of all organisations/government departments who undertook any SEUPB initiated audit in 2010 into the actions/activities of the victims group, FAIR.
19. Copies of all correspondence - including emails and faxes - exchanged between the SEUPB and PSNI from 1/1/10 - 9/812 in respect of all matters and issues in respect of the actions/activities of the victims group, FAIR."

Outcome:

Date of response:
August 2012

Request:
"Following the award of £884,000 in April this year to the Orange Order to fund their STRIPE cross community, cross border project, can you tell me:

1. How the distribution of this money within the Orange Order is accounted for? (i.e. do local groups need to apply to the Orange Order for use of this money? And who is responsible for documenting this?)
2. What is the criteria that projects must adhere to in order to successfully access this money?
3. What programmes and projects have so far been funded under this project? (I would appreciate a breakdown of the money allocated to each project, the area or region of the project, and who heads the project)
4.  Is it possible, for the purposes of accountability, to see the application made by the Orange Order, on which this money was successfully awarded by the European Union Peace 3 fund?"

Outcome:

Date of response:
November 2012

Request:
"Could you provide me with the following information in relation to the Extending Positive Relations Project:
Was the Political Skills aspect of the project put out to tender in 2010 or after? If so,

• How many tenders were submitted?
• What were the names of the organisations whom submitted tenders?
• The details of the successful tender?
• What role does Women Into Politics currently have in the said project?

Please provide the requested information within the timeframe laid down by the FOI Act."

Date of Response:
August 2012

Request:
"The following information is now requested under current Freedom of Information legislation.
1. The date/dates of all SEUPB initiated audits carried out into the actions of SAVER/NAVER.
2. The date/dates when the findings of the audits were made available to the SEUPB.
3. Details of the findings of all audits carried out into the activities/actions of SAVER/NAVER.
4. The date the SEUPB referred the matter of SAVER/NAVER to the PSNI for investigation.
5. The date the PSNI investigation into SAVER/NAVER was completed.
6. What action/actions have been taken as a result of the PSNI investigations into SAVER/NAVER.
7. What prosecutions, if any, have been recommended as a result of the PSNI investigations into SAVER/NAVER
8. The total amount of EU funding made available to SAVER/NAVER by SEUPB.
9. What action has the SEUPB take to recover the EU funding provided to SAVER/NAVER by the SEUPB"

Date of response:

August 2012

Request:

"ICBAN on behalf of its Member Councils and Stakeholders wish to formally request, under the Freedom of Information Act, the following information in relation to the recent INTERREG IVA Programme Open Call:
1. A copy of the Connect G Application that was submitted for the recent INTERREG IVA Open Themed Call by the Lead Beneficiary, Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
2. In relation to this Project, a copy of the comments / report originally sent by Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) to the Joint INTERREG IVA Steering Committee meeting on 14th March 2012."

Outcome:

Date of response:

August 2012

Request:

"Under the Freedom of Information I request the following information:
1. Can you supply correspondence advising FAIR of an internal audit between April 2010-August2010.
2. Dates of Spot Checks carried out on CAPABLE, SACRED and EINSTEEN within FAIR - April 2010-August 2010.
3. Correspondence between SEUPB and Pobal in relation to Audit and Spot Checks on CAPABLE, SACRED and EINSTEEN within FAIR.
4. Correspondence relating to dates Pobal were informed that audit was to be carried out.
5. Correspondence relating to date FAIR was informed an audit was to be carried out prior to August 2010.
6. Can you provide the audit report carried out in June 2010 on projects CAPABLE, SACRED and EINSTEEN in FAIR.
7. Correspondence relating to the date that this June audit.
8. Correspondence relating to the audit to the Director and Committee advising them that this was taking place."

Outcome:

Date of response:

August 2012

Request:

"I would be grateful to receive information, in photocopy form (where relevant) as follows:

1. Copy/ies of the Application/s for Funding and accompanying data which gave rise to the matters covered in this correspondence.
2. A copy of the Report of findings ‘as compiled and issued to the relevant Lead Partner’ of the project involved.  (My understanding from your website is that the Lead Partner is Donegal County Council, but I would be grateful for verification of this).  I request the following particular information (if not already evident in the Application/s and Report):-
3. The name of the group who submitted the Application/s to which the fabricated quotations in the name of my firm were attached.  (On your website I have accessed the name of Fort Dunree Military Museum with the Project name ‘Fort Dunree Remembrance Project’, contact David Magee, with funding awarded of €34,250.  I would be grateful to receive verification of these details.
4. Copy of any evidence to hand of who officially signed the Application/s for Funding.
5. With regard to the fabricated quotations I request any information to hand as to whether these were fabricated with the knowledge and approval of the applicant group.
6. I request information, if any, showing that The Inishowen Friends of Messines Organisation (for whose remembrance events the plagues were acquired) have had any act or part in the Application/s and fabrications as submitted?
7. Copies of the fabricated quotations of the other two firms.
8. A copy of the quotation of the firm who was awarded the contract and carried out the work of preparing and erecting the three plagues?
9. The amount paid to said firm for the preparing and erecting of the three plaques."

Outcome:

Date of response:

August 2012

Request:

"Under the Freedom of Information I request the following information:
1. In the ASM Audit report it refers to the whistle blower.  Shaun Henry has confirmed that to be myself.  I request a copy of the information volunteered by myself.
2. The information passed to ASM and DARD as part of the report which I believe I am entitled to as being the individual quoted.
3. All email correspondence between SEUPB and OFMDFM in relation to projects SACRED, CAPABLE and EINSTEEN from 2009.
4. All emails between SEUPB, Pobal and OFMDFM and DFP concerning FAIR and myself from January 2010.
5. All communications between SEUPB, DFP, DARD and OFMDFM regarding myself since January 2010."

Outcome:
 

Date of response:

August 2012

Request:

"I now request the following information under current Freedom of Information legislation.
1. In the financial year 2010/2011 how many investigations did the SEUPB initiate and carry out into allegations of irregularities/maladministration by organisations in receipt of EU funding?
2. How many organisations were subjected to audit as a result of these allegations?
3. How many of these investigations were referred to the Central Investigation Service for action?
4. How many of these investigations were subsequently referred to the PSNI for action?
5. The same information as requested in 1-5 be made available in respect of the financial years 2009/2010 and 2011/2012."

Outcome: