ONGOING audits by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) for FY2022/23 will cover the Jobs Support Scheme, Rental Relief Framework (Cash Grants), Rental Support Scheme and SingapoRediscovers Vouchers Scheme, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a written reply to a Parliamentary question on Monday (Feb 6).

“The expenditure incurred by the agencies for the schemes or areas subjected to AGO’s audit add up to S$32.3 billion and form part of the S$72.3 billion of Covid-19 spending,” he said.

The AGO may choose to audit other Covid-related expenditures in its ongoing and subsequent reviews, using a “risk-based approach”, Wong added.

Covid-19 spending included public expenditure to safeguard public health and enable safe reopening, as well as support measures for individuals and businesses in the form of grants, financing assistance, tax rebates and vouchers.

Over half of the S$72.3 billion has been audited, with the remaining audits ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of financial year 2024, Wong said.

In FY2021/22, the AGO carried out a thematic audit covering selected Covid-related procurement and expenditure at the Ministry of Manpower, Health Promotion Board and Singapore Land Authority. 

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A parliamentary committee had in January asked the government to conduct a review on Covid-19 spending, to ensure that public funds were spent properly and rectify errors.

The deputy prime minister said that since early 2022, agencies have also conducted internal audits on Covid-19 spending, in addition to the AGO’s audit. These include reviews on the effectiveness of internal controls and the validity and accuracy of payments.

Consequent findings and remedial actions are reported to the respective agencies’ senior management. For statutory boards, these are also reported to their Audit Committees and Boards.