Public Accounts Committee

Minutes of Proceedings - Thursday 29 May 2025

Public Accounts Committee - Thursday 29 May 2025.pdf (150.22 kb)

Meeting Location: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Daniel McCrossan, MLA (Chairperson)

Cheryl Brownlee, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Diane Forsythe, MLA

Tom Buchanan, MLA

Colm Gildernew, MLA

Cathal Boylan, MLA

David Honeyford, MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Colin Crawford, MLA

Pádraig Delargy, MLA

Apologies:

In Attendance:

Lucia Wilson (Committee Clerk)

Kirsten McClelland (Assistant Committee Clerk)

Marion Johnson (Clerical Supervisor)

Karen Barry (Clerical Supervisor - Remote)

Yannie Mahood (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in public session at 2.24 pm.

1. Apologies

2. Developing the Skills for Northern Ireland's Future: Report launch

The Chairperson noted the launch of the report and thanked the members and staff of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly, present in the public gallery, for their assistance and contributions to the inquiry.

Colin Crawford, MLA and Pádraig Delargy, MLA joined the meeting at 2.33 pm.

Members reflected on the value of the work of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly in informing the Skills Inquiry and the work of the Public Accounts Committee and looked forward to exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

3. Draft minutes

Agreed: Members agreed to amend the draft minutes of the meeting on 22 May 2025.

4. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded members of their requirement to register their interests under Standing Order 69(5).

Diane Forsythe, MLA declared an interest as a member of the Board of Governors of Kilkeel Nursery School and Assembly Private Secretary to the Minister for Education.

David Honeyford, MLA declared an interest as a member of the Board of Governors of Dromara Primary School and in respect of a relative employed by the Education Authority.

Pádraig Delargy, MLA declared an interest as a member of the Board of Governors of Holy Child Primary School, Creggan, and former teacher.

Cheryl Brownlee declared an interest as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Cathal Boylan declared an interest as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and a member of the Board of Governors for Clea Primary School, Keady.

5. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson informed members of his recent contribution to a video for the launch of the Skills Inquiry by the Communications Team and also for the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly this week.

6. Matters Arising

Members noted suitable dates for practice visits for the inquiry into Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: Members agreed dates for the visits.

7. Correspondence

Members noted a RaIse paper on Homelessness Legislation.

Agreed: Members agreed to note the report for further consideration at the commencement of the inquiry into Homelessness in Northern Ireland.

The meeting moved into closed session at 2.42 pm.

8. Reducing Adults Reoffending in Northern Ireland: First consideration of draft report.

The following witnesses and officials joined the meeting at 2.42 pm:

Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General;

Tomas Wilkinson, Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office;

Conor McGeown, Audit Manager, Northern Ireland Audit Office;

Kyle Bingham, Assembly Support Officer, Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The Committee noted the draft report is classified as RESTRICTED for Members' attention and therefore should not be published more widely.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the Executive Summary and summary of recommendations to allow for the inclusion of further updates to the report.

9. Reducing Adults Reoffending in Northern Ireland: Consideration of themes for Press Release

Members discussed potential key themes for inclusion in the draft press release.

Agreed: Members agreed a number of themes to be included in the draft press release.

The Chair thanked officials for attending.

Officials left the meeting at 3.15 pm.

10. Forward Work Programme

Agreed: Members agreed the draft forward work programme.

11. Any Other Business

Agreed: Members agreed to share correspondence relating to the disclaimer on the accounts of the Department for the Economy with the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

12. Date, Time, and Place of the next meeting

The next meeting will take place in the Senate Chamber on Thursday 5 June 2025 at 2.00 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.23 pm.

Daniel McCrossan

Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee