Committee of Public Accounts to resume examination of 2021 appropriation accounts with Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The meeting in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, and officials from the Department, led by Kevin McCarthy, the Secretary-General and Accounting Officer to the Committee. Officials from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and representatives of the Office of Public Works (OPW) will also be in attendance.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for policy and provision of services for children, young people and families, as well as refugee resettlement and services for international protection applicants, and the Mother and Babies Homes Redress Scheme.

“The Department is also leading the emergency response for providing accommodation and services to the more than 74,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Ireland under the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) scheme since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this time last year.

“The Committee began examination of the Departments 2021 expenditure in October 2022 and will resume discussions with Mr McCarthy and his colleagues, with particular interest in the expenditure on direct provision and international protection, emergency accommodation, and accommodation contracts and related processes.

“Members would also like to examine the Modular Homes Pilot Programme to provide an initial 700 units for emergency accommodation and the State Architect from the OPW will be available at the meeting to contribute to discussions on the matter. The Committee looks forward to an extensive discussion on these issues and related matters with the Department officials.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.