Arm's-length Bodies: Remuneration

Oral Answers to Questions — Culture, Arts and Leisure – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:00 pm on 6 October 2015.

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Photo of Dolores Kelly Dolores Kelly Social Democratic and Labour Party 2:00, 6 October 2015

4. Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether all membership positions on the boards of her Department's arm's-length bodies (ALBs) are remunerated. (AQO 8797/11-16)

Photo of Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Sinn Féin

I thank the Member for her question. The majority of positions on the boards of my Department’s arm’s-length bodies are not remunerated. However, travel and subsistence expenses are payable. Some positions are remunerated, including the chairs and vice-chairs of the boards of the Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge, Libraries NI, Museums NI, NI Screen, Sport NI and the Ulster-Scots Agency and board member positions on the boards of Foras na Gaeilge, Libraries NI and the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Photo of Dolores Kelly Dolores Kelly Social Democratic and Labour Party

I thank the Minister. I am sure that she will join me in paying tribute to the many men and women who give voluntarily of their time. Even if some of them are remunerated, quite often that does not recognise the amount of effort they put into the organisations. Will she update us on the issue of the position of chairperson of the board of Sport NI?

Photo of Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Sinn Féin

The chairperson of Sport NI did not resign. He is still in post and he is doing a wonderful job.

I fully agree with the Member's comments. Some of the expenses cover things like subsistence and travel. When it comes to chairs and vice-chairs, the additional responsibility that they have goes well above and beyond what many have signed up to. The chair of Sport NI is still there, as is the vice-chair, and both are doing an excellent job.

Photo of Sean Lynch Sean Lynch Sinn Féin 2:15, 6 October 2015

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister explain what steps her Department is taking to improve the diversity of the boards of ALBs?

Photo of Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Sinn Féin

The question of diversity keeps coming up, and I want to put on record my commitment to ensuring that we not only maintain but increase diversity on boards of public bodies. I can speak only for my Department, but having looked at its representation of women, people with disabilities and people from ethnic minorities, I have gone some way to ensuring that as many people from as many backgrounds as possible can apply.

The Member will be glad to hear that Departments are working together on that issue to ensure that there is a more effective approach taken. Some of the DCAL competitions have included contact with representative bodies such as Disability Action, NICVA, the Rural Community Network and Women in Business to ensure that we have greater diversity of people on our boards.