Members Present:
Dorinnia Carville (C&AG)
Rodney Allen (COO)
Suzanne Jones (Director)
Barry Mitchell (Director)
Conor McGeown (Director)
Brian O’Neill (Director)
Seamus Wade (Director)
Tomas Wilkinson (Director)
In Attendance:
Roger McCance (Audit Manager) – Agenda Item 1
Jill Aicken (Head of People and OD) – Agenda Item 2
Megan O’Neill (Head of Corporate Services) – Agenda Item 3
Andrea Vincent (Secretariat Support)
Apologies
Patrick Barr (Director)
Louise Halligan (Secretariat Support)
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts were declared.
Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes of previous meeting held on 18 March 2026 were agreed and the matters arising noted as updated.
1. Corporate Management Team (CMT) Briefing
An update was provided from Roger McCance. The following key points were noted and agreed:
• PR Practitioner Group
A meeting of the Group has been scheduled for 21 April 2026 and an updated paper will be presented to the next SLT meeting.
• Study leave
Following recent changes by Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) to the number of Final Admitting Exams (FAE) now taken and reduced study leave, CMT agreed to the CAI proposal of 27 days study leave and the timing of when this study leave could be taken prior to the FAEs. This applies for those starting FAE in training contract in October 2026.
2. People and OD
2.1 People and OD Monthly Report
Jill Aicken joined the meeting and briefed members on the report presented. The following key areas were highlighted:
• Managing Attendance - Members noted the improvement in short term sickness absence figures presented and requested that sickness absence data be reported separately for long term and short term absence going forward.
• Performance Management Compliance – Performance Management reviews are complete, except for those relating to sickness and system related issues. Directors were asked to prioritise scheduling outstanding planning meetings with staff.
• HR Policy Review – The review is ongoing, with policy updates being progressed in phases and presented to SLT for consultation as appropriate.
• Diversity Mark – It was noted that the Diversity Mark accreditation will be integrated into all relevant NIAO corporate communications, including email signatures, the NIAO website and other relevant corporate materials. A launch of the strategy will take place on 21 April 2026.
• Recruitment - A review of the Competency Framework was formally agreed by SLT.
• Benchmarking Review - A report on the Independent Benchmarking is expected next week for SLT to review.
3. Financial Management/Corporate Governance
3.1 Corporate Services Report
Megan O’Neill joined the meeting and briefed members on the Corporate Services report presented. The following key areas were discussed:
• Finance - Final outturn figures for the year ended 31 March 2026 will be available for submission to NIAO’s external auditors in accordance with the agreed timetable.
• IT - Time and Space will be migrating to the cloud. The Information and Systems Officer will undertake initial training and then develop a tailored programme for rollout to all staff.
4. Communications and Engagement
4.1 Corporate Affairs Report
Brian O’Neill presented a report to update members on developments since the March 2026 SLT meeting, highlighting that NIAO’s new charity for 2026-27, determined by staff, will be Cancer Fund for Children. A letter of thanks has recently been sent to the 2025-26 charity, Simon Community.
4.2 Review of the use of social media platforms
Members approved the paper presented on the use of Social Media Platforms. Members requested figures from LinkedIn on recruitment posts, particularly demographics.
4.3 Communication and Engagement Strategy
The Communication and Engagement Strategy was approved.
5. Quality and Innovation
Brian O’Neill provided an update on the following areas:
5.1. Technical Team update/Public Reporting Update
• Financial Audit Manual - It was noted that work continues on the development of the Financial Audit Manual in collaboration with Audit Wales. The C&AG requested confirmation of a completion date from Audit Wales.
• Public Reporting Peer Review – COO approved the reports selected for the 2025-26 peer review process with other Audit Agencies.
• Public Reporting Session – An all staff session is scheduled for 6 May 2026, with Directors to subsequently schedule engagement sessions with their teams.
• Application for membership of European Organisation of Regional External Public Finance Audit Institutions (EURORAI) was approved.
6. Strategic Projects
6.1 Workforce Planning
Seamus Wade provided a verbal update regarding progress in procuring temporary staff in the months of May/June.
6.2 People Engagement Programme
Rodney Allen advised that updated templates have been provided to SLT for review, with a meeting of the Steering Group scheduled for 20 April.
7. Strategic Performance
7.1 Management Information Report – Financial Audit and
Public Reporting
A combined report providing a breakdown of the costs associated with financial audits and the costs and timing for completing public reports was presented. Members noted the report presented with no significant issues raised.
7.2 Position re Backlog Accounts
Members noted the report presented; no significant issues were raised.
7.3 Net Zero
Megan O’Neill presented an update on Net Zero. Discussion followed on salary sacrifice schemes, season travel tickets, travel policy, recycling and potential installation of solar panels following a requested survey of potential works to the roof. The following key points were noted:
• A presentation on Net Zero will be included in the next Staff Brief.
• A report to be prepared estimating the percentage position that would be achieved if all identified short term actions were implemented.
8. Risk Management
8.1 Corporate Risk Register (CRR)
Conor McGeown provided an update on the latest Risk Register. The Information and Systems Officer to review current log-in details for the Pentana system following recent cyber security incidents elsewhere that have been reported in the media.
9. To Note
• Staff Brief – 21 April 2026
• ARAC – 26 May 2026
• Advisory Board – 8 June 2026
10. Matters agreed at weekly SLT meetings
Rodney Allen provided an update of matters agreed at the weekly SLT meetings held on 24 March, 31 March and 13 April.
11. Date of next meeting
The next monthly meeting will be held on 19 May 2026.