The DUP MLA uncovered the information from a question to the Infrastructure Minister.
Commenting, she said,
“Right across our public services, all Departments are rightly highlighting the pressures they face. In those circumstances the least the public will expect is that efforts are made to collect money that is owed. We are seeing issues across other departments where public money is being written off over £6 million in social housing rent arrears and £64.3 million in rates arrears.
Parking issues are regularly highlighted by many businesses in towns across Northern Ireland and how it can hinder their ability to attract customers. That is far worse if we see parking fines not being pursued. This is a different issue from where a fine has been successfully appealed. It is also unfair to both those people who park responsibly and to those who pay a penalty when it is issued for them to see £1.31 million written off in the last year and nearly £10 million across the last five financial years.
While inevitably there will be cases where there is no prospect of recovery, it is incumbent on the public sector to ensure that all steps are taken to ensure recovery or to identify the stumbling blocks to recovery and address these.”
https://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/questions/printquestionsummary.aspx?docid=426799