I propose to take Questions Nos. 447, 448, 450, 453 and 454 together.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy is a voluntary body, governed by its own Board. It receives some of its funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and raises other funding through member subscriptions and fund raising.
My Department provides funding to this organisation primarily through the Youth Service Grant (YSGS) Scheme. The Youth Service Grant Scheme has governance controls in place to ensure the appropriate use of public monies. Funding to this organisation is made available on the basis of an application process. This application process involves the outlining of specific deliverables related to the provision of services, and funds allocated to any organisation must be accounted for within specific budgetary streams related to these deliverables.
The organisation's selection of auditor and finalisation of accounts is a matter for their Board.
Officials in my Department have recently met with a number of senior managers and board members of the organisation to discuss the submission of the annual report, the holding of the AGM and other governance issues.
I understand that this organisation will submit audited financial reports in the coming weeks, and that an AGM will be called following consideration by the board has signed of the financial reports.
