COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 6th FEBRUARY 2008
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
The meeting opened at 10:34am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 30 th January 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
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Matters Arising
Members noted, subject to amendment and final approval, the Committee’s response to the ETI Committee on the Draft Action Plan 2008-2011 for the Regional Innovation Strategy.
10:37am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
Members noted arrangements for the Committee’s forthcoming study visit to South West College, Omagh, on 20 th February.
Agreed: Members discussed the situation in relation to the provision of training by Carter & Carter Plc in the Training for Success programme and agreed that additional information by sought from the Department.
Members noted the conference “Getting vocational qualifications right” hosted by the CCEA on 7 th February in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
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Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed the proposed responses.
Members noted that the Chair and Deputy Chair will meet with the Permanent Secretary on 11 th February and with the Minister on 19 th February in relation to issues of concern to the Committee.
Members also noted that the Deputy Chair will speak at a forthcoming event organised by Skillfast on 4 th April in Belfast.
11:14am Mr McCausland left the meeting
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Departmental briefing on the DEL Corporate Plan
The Committee received a briefing from departmental officials Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, and David McAuley, Director of Strategy end Employment Rights Division, on the Department’s draft Corporate Plan 2008-2011. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that a response to the draft corporate plan be produced on behalf of the Committee.
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Departmental briefing on the final budget 2008-2011 outcomes
The Committee received a briefing from departmental officials Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, Greg McConnell, Deputy Secretary, and Trevor Connolly, Director of Finance & European Division, on the final budget 2008-2011 outcomes. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:52am Mr McCausland rejoined the meeting
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Briefing from University & College Union
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of University and College Union: Lyn Fawcett, Chair of UCU NI HE Committee & Vice Chair of the UCU NI Regional Committee, David Limb, Secretary of UCU NI Regional Committee, Pauline Collins, Executive Committee member of UCU at the Open University and Regional Officer for OU NI, and Renee Prendergast, President of the UCU branch at Queens, on the work of the University and College Union and issues of concern. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
12:10pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting, Mr Spratt took the Chair
12:18pm Ms Ramsey rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair
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Subordinate Legislation
The Committee noted the following Statutory Rule and the report of the Assembly’s Examiner of Statutory Rules:
- The Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 (SR 2008/18)
The Committee raised no objection to the Rule which is subject to the Assembly’s affirmative resolution procedure.
Question put and agreed:
“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered The Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 (SR 2008/18) and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.”
Members noted papers relating to two proposed statutory rules from the Committee for Social Development with regard to employment and support allowance.
Agreed: F urther Departmental information required on work-focused interviews.
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Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a Departmental press notice issued on 29 January 2008.
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Any Other Business
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Minister updating the Committee on the Further Education lecturers’ pay dispute and lecturer redundancies under the teachers’ premature retirement scheme. It was agreed that Members concerns on this issue be raised during the meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairman with the Permanent Secretary on 11 th February. It was also agreed that an update be requested from the Department on the Minister’s meeting with the FE College Directors scheduled for 7 th February.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13 th February 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:33pm.