Health and Community Services
Finance
July 20, 2016

Protecting Health and Well-Being

Ministers Provide Update on Iris Kirby House

Following a meeting today with the Boards of Directors for Iris Kirby House and the Iris Kirby House Foundation, the boards have been informed that before the Provincial Government considers the provision of any additional funding, several conditions must be met.

“We have had concerns around the management and governance of Iris Kirby House. Over the past few months, we have met with the boards to resolve these issues; however, they have not yet been resolved. In an effort to ensure that public funds are being spent wisely, we have worked with Iris Kirby to establish a number of conditions to be met in the near future.”
-The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

The conditions include:

• Finalize a service agreement with Eastern Health;
• Provide answers to questions on financial reports to the satisfaction of the Provincial Government;
• Auditors for the boards to meet with the Office of the Comptroller General;
• Submit a report by an independent facilitator on workplace issues, which will contain recommendations to address any identified issues; and
• Expand the board membership to include additional public representation acceptable to both the Provincial Government and boards.

“The prevention of all forms of violence is everyone’s responsibility, and we all have a role to play. Our government greatly values the work being done by transition houses to prevent violence against women and children around the province. We will do everything in our power to ensure services are available to women and children as needed. While we hope that this matter will be resolved, any organization in receipt of public funds has to be transparent with respect to their financial situation and accountable to government.”
- The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Both ministers will hold a media availability today (Wednesday, July 20) in front of the House of Assembly at 3:30 p.m.

QUICK FACTS

• The Boards of Directors for Iris Kirby House and the Iris Kirby House Foundation have been informed that before the Provincial Government considers the provision of any additional funding, several conditions must be met.
• The conditions include finalizing a service agreement with Eastern Health; providing answers to questions on financial issues to the satisfaction of the Provincial Government; auditors for the boards to meet with the Office of the Comptroller General; submitting a report by an independent facilitator on workplace issues, which will contain recommendations to address any identified issues; and expanding the board membership to include additional public representation acceptable to both the Provincial Government and boards.

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca

Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Finance 709-729-6830, 728-4104 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca

2016 07 20                             2:40 p.m.