Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay, I thank the Deputy.

That completes the discussion of correspondence We will move on then to the work programme. At the meeting of 1 December, we agreed our work programme for the new year, as follows. I know it is a bit away now, but it is hard to have it our heads. The first meeting of the new year is scheduled for 19 January. That is with the Housing Agency and the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority. That is to examine chapter 7 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2021 report on the Housing Agency's revolving acquisition fund. We will also examine the financial statements of both bodies. I understand that the 2021 financial statements for the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority have been laid and the Department is working to ensure that the Housing Agency's 2021 financial statements are also laid and available to examine before the meeting.

On 26 January, we will then engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine its appropriation account and two chapters of the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2021 report. With the committee's agreement, we will also add chapter 7 on the Housing Agency's revolving acquisition fund. Members will recall that we had a brief discussion around this some months ago. It is open to us to discuss any matter arising from the previous engagement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We are deliberately doing it one week after the other to ensure we will have a better meeting given the fact that there is a follow-up meeting on the same subject. On 2 February, we will engage with the HSE, to resume examination of its financial statements, with a focus on expenditure on disability services, including the provision of disability services by outside agencies, emergency care, and measures to tackle waiting lists.

Further engagements, including with the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and An Bord Pleanála, are set out in the work programme circulated to members. I should also mention that the Comptroller and Auditor General has completed a report on emergency procurement of ventilators by the HSE. I understand the report was submitted to the Minister for Health on 7 December and he is required to present the report to the Dáil within three months of that date, at which point it will be available for the committee to examine. Does any Member wish to raise any matter in regard to the work programme? All are happy. That concludes consideration of the work programme.

The final item on the public agenda for today is any other business. Does any member wish to raise any other business? No. We will now move into private session briefly before adjourning until the new year on 19 January.