An audit firm is being engaged to re-evaluate how bed rates for the controversial new extension at St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) were calculated, Elderly Minister Michael Farrugia said.
He was reacting to the findings of the National Audit Office on a €274 million contract awarded by direct order by SVDP for the management of a new 500-bed extension. The NAO said the contract was awarded in breach of the law and the bed rates negotiated with the private company were inflated.
Farrugia said a renowned audit company had been tasked in 2016 with making an assessment to see how much beds at SVDP cost government. The firm established how the facility incurred an occupied bed per night rate of €105.50, and an available bed per night rate at €98.29.
Police are not investigating a €274 million deal that the National Audit Office found broke the law. 
A spokesperson for the police force told Times
Prime Minister admits SVPR contract slammed by audit office should have been approved by Cabinet
Prime Minister Robert Abela says a multi-million-euro management contract awarded by direct order at St Vincent de Paul should have been presented to Cabinet for approval
3 May 2021, 11:11am
by Kurt Sansone
A contract like that awarded by St Vincent de Paul, which the National Audit Office said broke the law, should have been approved by Cabinet, Robert Abela said.
The Prime Minister said on Monday that the NAO report was being analysed in detail and government “will learn from the mistakes”.
“A project like that should be approved by Cabinet,” he said, acknowledging one of the irregular issues flagged by the NAO.
Elderly ministry to review damning audit report on St Vincent de Paule
Ministry for the Elderly to review NAO report that found government broke the law when awarding a €274 million management contract at St Vincent de Paule home for the elderly
2 May 2021, 4:59pm
by Karl Azzopardi
The Ministry for the Elderly has said that it will be reviewing an NAO report that found government broke the law when awarding a €274 million management contract at St Vincent de Paule home for the elderly.
The contract was awarded by negotiated procedure in November 2017. The same companies had already won a separate bid to build a new kitchen at SVPR and construct an extension.
Michael Falzon on damning audit report: ‘Lives of the elderly not NAO’s concern’
Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon has shrugged off responsibility on an NAO report that found government broke the law when awarding a €274 million management contract at St Vincent de Paule home for the elderly.
What was intended to be a catering contract was turned into a mega-contract for the award of a new hospital wing built by the DB Group and James Caterers, by way of a negotiated procedure.
“I can only speak about myself, there was no political interference, at least from my end. The sector also no longer falls under my remit,” Falzon said.