Results 20,981-21,000 of 33,581 for speaker:Catherine Connolly

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: I have before me the executive summary key points. It is on page 5.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Yes. Committee members will see the net need figures. There is an inset with the information. The figures on the waiting list have reduced. The total number of qualified households in 2018 has reduced significantly from 2017. That should be a good news story but it is important to clarify this. Let us consider the criteria set out on the page. Who is left out of the assessment? Anyone...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: We need to know the number of exclusions. I am referring to all those identified under the criteria.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: It was the same list last year.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Reference is made in the document to the housing assistance payment and the rental accommodation scheme – they are all there.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Absolutely, and the figures for any other schemes should be added too. Other schemes include the long-term leasing and short-term leasing schemes. We can get lost with all these schemes. We need to know the criteria and any other schemes the Department is not including.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Two CEOs are addressing the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government as we speak.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: They might attend here in due course.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: All of the questions have been asked but I have a query about the last paragraph on providing copies of the confirmations. Is the Comptroller and Auditor General receiving everything he needs?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: When the secretariat has had an opportunity to review it we can come back to it.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: The final paragraph of the letter does not make any sense.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: I want to make two points, one specific and a general one related to Deputy Murphy's comments. I welcome this from the Department. The education and training boards, ETBs, are saying openly that they have no staff. They are identifying the problems, so they are coming forward. The committee has a role in encouraging people in that regard. We cannot have good governance if they do not...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: We are about to go through it again. The interim report which recommends the amalgamation included a condition precedent that we deal with staff and resources first. The report states that staff and resources should be dealt with and it would seem that the cost implications, depending on one's interpretation, will be greater for the amalgamation. The ETBs seem to be learning but are the...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Concerns regarding the adequacy of internal audit resources is a very serious matter.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: I understand that.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: There is a big issue, and we cannot expect people to work under those conditions. I am not saying that. However, it ends up costing more money with reports following reports. Something has to be done in terms of an employment package to attract people. That is not our area but it becomes our area because it ends up before us in the form of more and more reports. We had the Thorn report....

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: It is very important to identify that. It is very important for the Government to examine that. We cannot just say there is a problem and not deal with it because a greater problem arises-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: -----and we end up reacting all the time.

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 29 - Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Chapter 8 - Measures relating to Cyber Security
Chapter 9 - Energy Efficiency National Fund (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: The witnesses are very welcome, as is the information they have provided. I will not address broadband in great detail because I only have ten minutes and there are other issues I wish to address. I note the twin aims in regard to climate change and regional development outlined in Mr Griffin's opening speech. All Deputies have received the documentation I have before me. A man I know in...

Public Accounts Committee: 2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 29 - Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Chapter 8 - Measures relating to Cyber Security
Chapter 9 - Energy Efficiency National Fund (6 Dec 2018)

Catherine Connolly: Mr. Griffin followed up but the outcome was not good. I am referring to the same person and he is in exactly the same position as he was last year. I am not seeking a reply.