Public Accounts Committee
Minutes of Proceedings, Thursday 20 June 2024
Public Accounts Committee minutes of proceedings 20 June 2024.pdf (149.28 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Daniel McCrossan, MLA (Chairperson)
Cheryl Brownlee, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Diane Forsyth, MLA
Colm Gildernew, MLA
David Honeyford, MLA
John Stewart, MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Pádraig Delargy, MLA
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan, MLA
In Attendance:
Lucia Wilson (Committee Clerk)
Kirsten McClelland (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Karen Barry (Clerical Supervisor)
Barbara Daly (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.15 pm in closed session
The Chairperson advised members of the requirement to declare interests in any items of business on the agenda, and discussed the substantive items of business to be considered.
The meeting moved into public session at 2.22 pm.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cathal Boylan, MLA.
2. Draft minutes
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 13 June 2024 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Chairperson’s Business
No Chairperson’s business was raised.
5. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded members of their requirement to register their interests under Standing Order 69(5).
6. Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
7. Inquiry on Child Poverty in Northern Ireland – Evidence Session
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 2.24 pm
Chris Quinn, Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner
Trása Canavan, Chair of the Anti Poverty Co-Design Group
Goretti Horgan, Member of the Anti Poverty Expert Panel
The following official also joined the meeting:
Ms Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General
Mr Stuart Stevenson, Treasury Officer of Accounts
The Committee heard evidence from the witnesses.
Cheryl Brownlee, MLA left the meeting at 3.35 pm.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Quinn, Ms Canavan, Ms Horgan, C&AG and Mr Stevenson for attending.
Officials left the meeting at 3.54 pm.
The meeting was suspended at 3.55 pm.
The meeting resumed and moved into closed session at 4.03 pm.
8. Inquiry on Child Poverty in Northern Ireland – Discussion
Members discussed the evidence heard.
Agreed: Members agreed to follow up in writing should any further questions arise for the witnesses.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee was briefed on the draft Forward Work programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed its forward work programme.
10. Any Other Business
On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked the Northern Ireland Audit Office and Committee Staff for their work on the report into Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland, and congratulated the Committee Staff on a successful launch event for the report.
11. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The Chairperson thanked officials for their attendance and advised members that the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 27June, at 2.00 pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.55 pm.
Daniel McCrossan MLA
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
20 June 2024
