Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 12 June 2013
Venue: 3rd Fllor management Suit, Northland Campus, North West Regional College
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 5 June 2013
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members noted that some of the Committee had recently visited Magilligan Prison to observe the literacy and numeracy programme. The Chairperson thanked the prison officials who assisted in the visit.
Agreed: Members agreed that, whilst the Committee's report on literacy and numeracy had already been sent to print, a letter to the Departments for Employment and Learning, Education, and Justice would issue as a follow-up to the Committee's recent reports on literacy and numeracy for adults and in schools, to promote the capture of best practice in literacy and numeracy in prisons and suggest that where appropriate access to the internet might be provided for educational programmes in prisons.
4. Evidence session on the Inquiry into NI Fire and Rescue Service: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight and Report on Accounts 2011-12
The Committee took oral evidence on the above inquiry from:
Mr Jim Wallace, Interim Chief Executive, NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS); and
Dr Joe McKee, Chairman of the NIFRS Board.
The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
3.05 pm Paul Girvan left the meeting.
3.50 pm John Dallat left the meeting.
3.55 pm Michael Copeland left the meeting.
3.58 pm John Dallat re-entered the meeting.
3.59 pm Paul Girvan re-entered the meeting
4.01 pm Chris Hazzard left the meeting.
4.20 pm Chris Hazzard re-entered the meeting.
4.20 pm Seán Rogers left the meeting.
4.36 pm Ross Hussey declared an interest as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
4.40 pm Ross Hussey left the meeting.
4.51 pm Ross Hussey re-entered the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write for follow-up information after the session.
5:02 pm The meeting moved to closed session.
5. Introduction to the NI Audit Office inquiry into 'DCAL – Management of Major Capital Projects'
5.07 pm John Dallat left the meeting.
Mr Kieran Donnelly Comptroller and Auditor General; Suzanne Walsh, Audit Manager; Joan McClelland, Senior Auditor; and Joe Campbell, Audit Manager came to the table.
5.12 pm John Dallat entered the meeting.
Members discussed a briefing paper by the NI Audit Office in respect of major capital projects in the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted a request by DRD Permanent Secretary for a second rescheduling of the evidence session on the NIAO reports 'Review of an Investigation into a Whistleblower Complaint' and 'NI Water's Response to a Suspected Fraud' and agreed given other priorities to stick with the date of 25 September.
7. Any other business
There was no other business.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 June at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.40 pm.
