SNP MSP Willie Coffey asks why the issues with the board were not identified earlier, rather than requiring Audit Scotland report.

Caroline Gardner says a staff survey in 2018-19 threw up some real concerns and the chief executive asked auditors to follow this up.

Concerns have been raised in the past about the management of the board but there was difficulty in finding the root of the problem and how to resolve it, she adds.

Is the improvement plan still under consideration by the board, asks Mr Neil.

Is this board fit for purpose, he adds.

I strongly agree that they do need external help to implement the plan, replies Mr Kenny

If they can't get their act together, they should go, says the SNP MSP.

We don't have an opinion on that, replies Karlyn Watt.

Mr Neil says he is very supportive of the Gaelic language and the aims of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, but it is a "great disappointment" that it seems to be failing.

He suggests people in the Gaelic community will feel let down.

Pat Kenny from Deloitte LLP says the improvement plan is comprehensive but admits the Gaelic community were not consulted on it as it was internal.

Ms Watt says there is a timetable in place for the plan and this will be followed up on next month.

Mr Kenny says he has "strongly suggested" to the board that there should be external expertise brought in, because he is unsure the improvement plan will be delivered without this.

Image source, BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG

Gaelic language body Bòrd na Gàidhlig has been told to make "significant improvements" to how it is run.

The Inverness-based organisation works with the Scottish government to promote Gaelic throughout Scotland.

Public body watchdog, the Auditor General, has raised concerns about its "ineffective leadership" and "a lack of transparency in decision-making".

Bòrd na Gàidhlig accepted the findings and said it has embarked on a comprehensive programme of change.

Read more.

The auditor general begins by saying there are no significant errors in the account, but there are concerns about leadership and a lack of transparency around decision making.

This has led to a culture of mistrust with the organisation, she explains.

SNP MSP Alex Neil suggests the board seems to be "top heavy" and asks about salaries.

Karlyn Watt from Deloitte LLP says the chief executive is on around £90,000 while senior managers are on between £65-85,000.

Mr Neil expresses surprise at these salaries for such a small organisation, adding: "It seems to me they are not justifying the level of salary they are on."

Why are they still there, he asks.

The convener welcomes...

• Auditor General Caroline Gardner
• Michael Oliphant from Audit Scotland
• Pat Kenny of Deloitte LLP
• Karlyn Watt from Deloitte LLP

Image source, Getty Images

The Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee, external will take evidence on the delay to the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People this morning.

MSPs will hear from the auditor general, who published a report into the hospital delay before Christmas.

Read the report here., external

Before this, the auditor general will also be discussing the governance of Bórd na Gáidhlig with the committee.

The committee papers are available here. , external

Image source, PA Media/BBC

Welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 16 January 2020.

The public audit committee will this morning take evidence from the Auditor General on the delay to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh (as well as Bórd na Gáidhlig).

First minister's questions will begin at noon after general questions.

Then Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald will lead a member's debate on sustainable development goals.

After lunch, justice ministers will be quizzed at question time.

Then MSPs debate the Disclosure Bill for the first time.