Minutes of Proceedings

2:03 pm The meeting opened in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 13 March 2013

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

2:05 pm The meeting went into closed session.

4. Issues Paper on ‘Literacy and Numeracy Achievement in Schools’

2:08 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.

2:17 pm Mr Clarke declared an interest stating that he is a member of the Board of Governors for Randalstown Primary School, Cravery Primary School and Groggan Primary School.

2:22 pm Mr Hussey declared an interest stating that he is a member of the Board of Governors for Omagh High School.

2:45 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.

The Committee considered and developed an issues paper relating to the evidence session held on ‘Literacy and Numeracy Achievement in Schools’.

5. Inquiry on ‘PSNI: Use of Agency Staff’

2:59 pm Mr Hussey declared an interest stating that he is chairman of the Audit Committee of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

2:59 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.

3:03 pm Mr Copeland and Mr McKay left the meeting

3:10 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.

3:31 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

3:35 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.

 The Committee considered a summary of correspondence received during the course of the inquiry. The Committee agreed to have sight of a recent relevant tribunal case.

Correspondence from DFP

The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts providing the information previously sought by the Committee at its evidence session on 10 October relating to payments made to individuals who were not included on PAYE systems.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Ms Hamill to clarify some of the information in the response.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to explore with Ms Hamill at the 10 April meeting her advice re CPD guidance.

6. Inquiry on ‘Invest NI: A Performance Review’

Correspondence from DETI

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr David Sterling, Accounting Officer, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment providing additional information sought following the evidence session on 13 February 2013.

3:50 pm Mr Clarke declared an interest stating that he is a Councillor for Antrim Borough Council.

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr David Sterling, Accounting Officer, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment providing an overview of the 48 personal objectives of the Chief Executive of Invest NI.

3:56 pm Mr Copeland and Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

7. Any other business

MOR

Agreed: Further to a decision of the Committee a year ago, the Committee agreed to seek an update from the Department for Social Development on the progress of the implementation of recommendations from the Committee’s previous inquiry on ‘Creative Effective Partnerships between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector’.

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted an updated forward work programme from April – July 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the updated programme on its webpage.

Easter Recess

Agreed: The Committee agreed that during recess the Chairperson should action any Freedom of Information requests that arise.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should convene a meeting over recess if required.

4:08 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:10 pm.

Ms Michaela Boyle
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
10 April 2013