National Fraud Initiative in Northern Ireland: Data Matching Exercise 2008/09

Under the Serious Crime Act 2007 the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) has been given new statutory powers to conduct data matching exercises for the purpose of assisting in the prevention and detection of fraud. This was promoted in an annual fraud conference held on 12 March 2008 organised by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and has been discussed with Permanent secretaries within NICS departments. Data matching involves comparing sets of data, such as the payroll or benefits records of a body, against other records held by the same or another body. This allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where no match is found, the data matching process will have no material impact on those concerned. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation.

The C&AG requires the mandatory participation of the following bodies, NI Departments, Executive Agencies, the larger Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Health Services Bodies, and District Councils.

As one of the mandatory participants in this exercise the NHSSB is require to make public the following Level 2 Notice

Level 2 Notice

The Northern Health and Social Services Board is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Comptroller & Auditor General audits the accounts of this Health and Social Services Board. The Comptroller & Auditor General is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under his powers in Articles 4A to 4G of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Comptroller & Auditor General currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Comptroller & Auditor General for matching. Details are set out in the Northern Ireland Audit Office's website, www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

The use of data by the Comptroller & Auditor General in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice. This may be found at www.niauditoffice.gov.uk

For further information on the Comptroller & Auditor Genera's legal powers and the reasons why he matches particular information, see here.

For further information on data matching at this Health and Social Services Board contact:

Mr Ian Armstrong
Assistant Director of Finance
Finance Department
Northern Health and Social Services Board
County Hall
182 Galgorm Road
Ballymena
BT42 2SQ
028 25311068
Ian.Armstrong@nhssb.n-i.nhs.uk