PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2010
THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr John Dallat
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Trevor Lunn
Ms Dawn Purvis
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance:
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Darren Weir (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr David Hilditch
2:01 pm the meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Evidence Session on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘Resettlement of Long-stay Patients from Learning Disability Hospitals’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a work experience student should attend the entire meeting.
2:05 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
2:06 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.
Ms Purvis declared an interest as she is a member of the All Party Assembly Group for Learning Disabilities.
2:09 pm Mr Donaldson and Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
Mr Donaldson declared an interest in regards to a family member in the context of the report.
The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:
- Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety;
- Mr Martin Bradley, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety;
- Dr Maura Briscoe, Director of Mental Health and Disability Policy, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
2:14 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting.
2:15 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
3:17 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.
3:24 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
3:25 pm Mr Donaldson entered the meeting.
3:35 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
3:42 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.
3:45 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.
3:57 pm Ms Purvis left the meeting.
3:58 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting.
3:59 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
4:10 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting.
The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further information from the Department.
3. Minutes of the meeting on 11 February 2010.
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
4:14 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.
4:15 pm Mr Lunn entered the meeting.
4:15 pm the meeting went into closed session.
4. Consideration of the Draft Committee Report on ‘The Pre-school Education Expansion Programme’.
Mr Roy Beggs declared an interest as he is currently on the board of governors at Glynn Primary School and a committee member for Horizon Sure Start.
Paragraphs 13 – 17 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 36 – 38 read and agreed; paragraph 38 inserted after paragraph 16.
Agreed: Members ordered the report to be printed.
Agreed: Members agreed that the report would be embargoed until 00.01 am on Thursday, 25 March 2010.
Agreed: Members agreed to launch the report with a press release to be agreed at a later meeting.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the proposed Forward Work Programme from April - July 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to the proposed Forward Work Programme and to update the website and the other Committee Clerks accordingly.
6. Any other business
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on the upcoming Balmoral Show on 12 – 14 May 2010, at which the Northern Ireland Assembly has secured a stand.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to participate at the show subject to availability.
7. Date, time and venue of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 4 March 2010 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
4:27 pm the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.