Auditors to probe childcare cash waste

Monday 22nd February 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Matt Fallaize AUDITORS will carry out a Treasury review into the Health and Social Services Department’s spending on a childcare subsidy.

That follows HSSD being criticised for spending around £100,000 annually since 2001 to reserve nursery places for its staff’s children. In addition it cost the 23 employees who used the service £55,000 each year.

The Public Accounts Committee, which is tasked with making sure the States gets value for money, was originally asked to look into the spending but said it did not have time to.

The Scrutiny Committee also turned down a request to review the subsidy.

In a letter to HSSD, committee vice-chairman Matt Fallaize (pictured), said it would not be appropriate under the Scrutiny mandate.