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COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2007
Members Private Dining room & The Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 12.10 p.m. in private session

The Committee agreed a procedure for making urgent decisions.

Member noted the forward work programme and that the Minister would be attending the Committee meeting on Thursday 6 December to discuss the Draft Budget.

Members agreed to appoint Professor Ciaran O’Neill, Health Economist, to advise the Committee on the Draft Budget.

Members agreed to ask the Department for a chart setting out the roles and responsibilities of the Department, Boards, Trusts and Agencies delivering Health and Social Care.

Members agreed to ask the Department for a brief on the policy regarding employee redundancy and re-employment.

The Committee discussed issues relating to the Draft Budget.

The meeting adjourned at 1.44p.m.

The Meeting recommenced at 2.36p.m. in the Senate Chamber, in Public Session

  1. Apologies

There were no apologies

  1. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson reported that she and the Deputy Chairperson had met the Minister this morning.

  1. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 November 2007

The amended draft minutes of the meeting held on 15 November were agreed.

  1. Matters arising

Members noted a letter received from the Minister in response to issues raised by Disability Action. Members agreed to copy the Minister’s reply to Disability action.

Members noted a letter from the Minister providing an update on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Members agreed to invite Departmental Officials to explain the provisions of the Bill.

Members welcomed the Minister’s decision to forward the Full Business Case for the proposed Omagh Hospital to the Committee.

Members noted a letter from the Minister in response to issues relating to eating disorders raised by Members at the Committees meeting on 18 October 2007.Members expressed further concerns about this issue.

Members noted a letter received from the Minister about the proposed closure of St Johns House. Members agreed to copy the Ministers reply to Down Community Health Committee.

  1. Programme for Government/ Budget
Evidence Session with the Board for Mental Health & Learning Disability

Members took evidence from:
Professor Roy McClelland, Chairman, Board for Mental Health & Learning Disability

A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.

3.52p.m. Meeting adjourned, Mr Gallagher & Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting
4.06p.m. Meeting resumed, Mr McCallister joined the meeting

Evidence Session with representatives of the Health & Social Services Boards

Members took evidence from:
Dominic Burke Acting Chief Executive, Western Health & Social Services Board
Stuart MacDonnell Chief Executive, Northern Health & Social Services Board

A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

4.14 p.m. Ms Ramsey left the meeting.
5.17 p.m. The Chairperson left the meeting.
5.17 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neill took the Chair.
5.25 p.m. Mr Buchanan left the meeting.

  1. Statutory Rules
Statutory Rule 2007/436: General Ophthalmic Services Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/436.

Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 436: General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied with the technical aspects.

Statutory Rule 2007/437: Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No.2) regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/437

Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No 437: The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No.2) regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being satisfied with the technical aspects.

Statutory Rule 2007/450: The Feed (Specified Undesirable Substances) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/450

Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007/450: The Feed (Specified Undesirable Substances) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007and has no objection to the Rule.

Statutory Rule 2007/451: The Feed (Corn Gluten Feed & Brewers Grain) (Emergency Control) (Revocation) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/451

Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007/451: The Feed (Corn Gluten Feed & Brewers Grain) (Emergency Control) (Revocation) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007and has no objection to the Rule.

  1. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases

Members noted the correspondence received together with Press Cuttings/ Press Releases.

Members noted a letter from the Down and Connor Family Ministry and agreed that they should be invited to a lunchtime meeting with the Committee.

Members noted a letter from RNID and agreed that they should be invited to a lunchtime meeting with the Committee.

Members noted a letter from RNIB and agreed that they should be invited to a lunchtime meeting with the Committee.

Members noted a letter from The Family Care Society and agreed that they should be invited to a lunchtime meeting with the Committee.

Members noted a letter from Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA, who has copied correspondence from a GP, Dr Magowan. Members Agreed to write to Mr Paisley advising that the Committee had received Dr Magowan’s letter and this had already been raised in the Committee.

  1. Any other business

Members noted that an additional meeting would be held on Friday 23 November 2007 when the Minister would be present to address a number of issues.

Members noted that the Committee had agreed to host a reception for health related groups on Monday 26 November 2007.

  1. Date and time of the next meeting

The next meeting will take place on 23 November 2007 at 2.00pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.35 p.m.

Signed:

Chairperson

Date:

15 November 2007 / Menu