COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Richard Keating (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
The meeting opened at 10:37am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 11th February 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Education and Training Inspectorate on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships
The Committee received a briefing from Officials from the Education and Training Inspectorate: Stanley Goudie, Chief Inspector, Paul McAlister, Assistant Chief Inspector, John Baird, Managing Inspector, Greer Hamilton, Inspector, and John Kennedy, Inspector, on the Committee’s investigation into the way forward for apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Committee’s Report into Child Poverty
Agreed: Members noted the Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Committee’s Report into Child Poverty and agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister seeking views on those elements of the response relevant to the Department.
4. Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Barroso Taskforce Report
Members noted the Executive’s Response to the OFMdFM Barroso Taskforce Report and the Committee’s draft response to the OFMdFM Committee.
Agreed: Members approved the response, subject to amendment, and agreed that it be forwarded to the OFMdFM Committee for inclusion in its response to the Executive.
5. A survey of leavers from the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds and New Deal 25+ programmes
Members noted the survey, commissioned by the Department, of leavers from the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds and New Deal 25+ programmes . Members also noted a summary paper from the Assembly’s Research Services. The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, expressed her gratitude to the Assembly’s Research Services for production its paper.
6. Matter Arising
- Response from Minister regarding the European Social Fund Programme
Agreed: Members noted the Minister’s response regarding the European Social Fund Programme and agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister indicating the Committee’s concerns regarding the ending of the programme. - “Redundancy lecturers re-employment” BBC press article
Members noted a recent press release relating to the reemployment of lecturers, by Further Education colleges, that had already taken redundancy packages over the last two years. Members also noted that the Chairperson has written to the Minister seeking his view on this issue. - Correspondence regarding Variable Tuition Fees 2009-10
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Universities and the University Colleges on variable tuition fees for the 2009-2010 academic year and agreed that further clarification be sought on the issue. - Correspondence regarding update on FE lecturers’ pay dispute
Members noted a Departmental update on the ongoing FE lecturers’ pay dispute.
Rev Dr Coulter declared an interest in the issue
- Departmental Submission to DFP relating to February Monitoring
Members noted the Department’s submission to the Department of Finance and Personnel in relation to February monitoring. - Minister’s Response to Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Economic Recovery Package
Members noted the Minister’s response to the Prime Minister’s economic recovery package.
7. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. Members also noted a forthcoming meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with the Convenor of the Scottish Committee on Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture on 30 th March.
8. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.
9. Any Other Business
- Update on the Northern Regional College’s Workforce Development Forum Roadshow
Rev Dr Coulter updated Members on the Northern Regional College’s Workforce Development Forum Roadshow that he and Mr McClarty attended, on behalf of the Committee, on 11 th February. - STEM discussion forum event with DEL, DE & DETI Committees – 12:00pm in the Long Gallery
Members noted arrangements for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) discussion forum event to be held in the Long Gallery at 12:00pm on 18 th February. - Press article from the Irish News, 12 th February, re University of Ulster’s strategic plans
Members noted a recent press article, published in the Irish News on 12 th February, relating to the University of Ulster’s Strategic Plans. - SL1 – Annual Up-Rating of Pensions and Benefits
Members noted a proposed Statutory Rule from the Department for Social Development regarding the annual up-rating of pensions and benefits and raised no issues with the proposed rule. - Revised Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the revised Forward Work Programme for the Committee. - CCEA’s Annual “Score” Concert
Members noted an invitation, issued to all Members, to attend the CCEA’s annual concert on 27 th February 2009.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25 th February 2009 at 10.30am in Newtownabbey Jobs and Benefits Office, Church Road, Newtownabbey.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:46am.