Public Accounts Committee to hold meeting in NICVA

The meeting will consider the 2010 NI Audit Office report ‘Creating Effective Partnerships between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector’ and will hear evidence from DSD Permanent Secretary Will Haire and NICVA Chief Executive Seamus McAleavey.

The meeting will be conducted by NI Assembly staff in the same way as it would be if it was being held in Parliament Buildings but holding the meeting in NICVA means there will be much more space for people to come and observe the work of the committee.

Commenting on the PAC’s planned scrutiny of the NIAO report NICVA CEO Seamus McAleavey said “This was an important report for the voluntary and community sector and NICVA agreed with the majority of its findings and recommendations. We see the PAC’s scrutiny of the report as an opportunity to highlight some of the issues that will make a real and practical difference to organisations right across the sector such as disproportionate and excessive monitoring and audit requirements and problems with procurement regulations.

A strong representation from the sector in the public gallery will send a message to committee members that this is an important topic for voluntary and community organisations.”

Seats in the public gallery will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and so anyone interested in attending is advised to arrive in NICVA around 1.30pm. Tea and coffee will be available from then which should also offer the opportunity to meet with committee members before their meeting begins.