The chairperson designate has been advising me in relation to matters concerning the establishment of the Policing Authority and has been engaged in a series of familiarisation and introductory meetings with organisations, including visits to the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Scottish Police Authority, and individuals relevant to the functions proposed for the Authority in the scheme of Bill which I published last year. She is also working with my Department to develop staffing requirements and with the Office of Public Works to identify and prepare suitable premises.
The terms and conditions of a contract for the chairperson designate are currently under consideration and will be finalised shortly. While remuneration has not therefore been paid yet to the chairperson designate, she is of course entitled to travel and subsistence expenses at standard civil service rates and has incurred such expenses of approximately €1,000 to date.