Category Archives: Public Accounts Committee

East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party represenative Roy Beggs MLA has questioned the Infrastructure Minister on her plans to redevelop the station at Greenisland. UUP MLA Roy Beggs tabled a written question to ask ” the Minister for Infrastructure what plans are in place to redevelop Greenisland train station, as outlined in the Greenisland Regeneration Plan. Mr Beggs added “Greenisland is a busy commuter station and any redevelopment would see an increase in usage at the site and the Larne Line. This would have positive consequences for our environment. In addition, any redevelopment of the station which was outlined in the area masterplan last decade, could aim to try and reduce the anti-social activity in the area.” In reply, Minister Mallon stated: “I recognise the potential of redeveloping train stations and what this could provide to an area such as Greenisland. As you will be aware, my priority as Minister is … Continue reading →

Following the Public Account Committee’s Enquiry and Report into Special Educational Needs, Roy Beggs MLA has accused the Department of Education and the Education Authority of collectively failing to provide and manage an effective Special Educational Needs system. Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Party member of the PAC said, “There is clearly a need for a rethink the current inadequate SEN process which is failing to address the needs of children and Young People in an effective and timely manner. During the evidence sessions, I highlighted the failure of EA even to have an awareness of the numbers of children that schools wished to refer to an Educational Psychologist but were not able to do so. As a former primary school governor I know that there is a need for earlier intervention. It was also concerning that witnesses agreed with me that it was wasteful to have several classroom assistants … Continue reading →

Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has highlighted the need for the PAC to carry out an investigation into the generation of electricity from renewable energy in Northern Ireland. This follows the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report entitled ‘Generating electricity from renewable energy’. Mr Beggs said: “Given the scale of the costs involved in the overpayments, and Northern Ireland`s past experience of the RHI debacle, I believe that the Public Accounts Committee should carry out a further investigation into the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation scheme. We simply cannot afford to let this slip by. “The Comptroller and Auditor General`s report makes for uncomfortable reading and should sound alarm bells within Government. The warning signs are there in the NIAO report. It also raises questions for the future. What will be the extra unnecessary cost to our economy and how much extra … Continue reading →

East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has urged local farmers to sign up for the new farm safety workshops under the Farm Families Key Skills initiative. Mr Beggs said “This training is delivered to farmers throughout Northern Ireland and is free for farmers, members of the farm family and employees to attend”. “Major injuries on local farms are up 10% on 2014 figures, but the causes of injuries and deaths on farms have remained the same and these risks can be dealt with by raising awareness and adopting safe practises.” These short workshops start in 2017 and cover among many other things the four main dangers associated with working on farms namely – slurry, animals, falls and equipment – known as (SAFE). The local MLA said that “for further information or to register for a workshop please go online to http://www.cafre.ac.uk/industry-support/farm-family-key-skills/ . “As someone who comes from a farming … Continue reading →