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Minister refuses to disclose cost of 14 suspected fraudulent applications to RHI scheme

The Economy Minister has refused to provide details of costs of 14 applications to the RHI scheme which were suspected of being fraudulent
The Economy Minister has refused to provide details of costs of 14 applications to the RHI scheme which were suspected of being fraudulent The Economy Minister has refused to provide details of costs of 14 applications to the RHI scheme which were suspected of being fraudulent

THE Economy Minister has refused to provide a cost for 14 applications to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme which are understood to have been suspended due to suspicions of fraud.

The 14 cases had been considered as falling into the most serious category where fraud was suspected.

More than 2,000 people, it is understood, applied to the botched scheme before its closure in February last year, and it is feared it could cost Northern Ireland taxpayers £400 million over the next 20 years.

The Assembly's Public Accounts Committee heard that an independent audit found issues at half of the 300 sites inspected, with 14 referred for suspected fraud.

However, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton has refused to provide details of costs to date or the anticipated future expense associated with the 14 applications.

Mr Hamilton said: "Any potential instances of fraud or abuse of the scheme are being fully investigated. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The minister was responding to a question from SDLP economy spokeswoman Sinéad Bradley, who said the "evasive response" was "sadly typical".

The South Down MLA said: "Despite grand claims, (Mr Hamilton) has been anything but forthcoming and transparent in revealing details around the RHI scandal.

"His method of drip feeding selective information has only damaged the reputation of our institutions and increased the public perception that the DUP are concealing something.

"I am still waiting for him to provide a geographical breakdown of RHI beneficiaries, given that he has point blank refused to name them."

The Department for the Economy did not respond to a request for comment on how many of the 14 cases had seen payments suspended to applicants.