COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY 18 MAY 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
The meeting began in public session at 2.02pm.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
Mr Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 2.03pm.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Law Centre Briefing Paper
Noted:The Committee noted a paper from the Law Centre on Social Security Parity and the Welfare Reform Bill.
3.2 Motion of Extension
Noted:The Committee noted that the motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill is expected to come to plenary on Monday 24 May 2010.
4. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session - briefing by the National Autistic Society (NI)
The following representatives from the National Autistic Society (NI) joined the meeting at 2.10pm:
Ms Shirelle Stewart Northern Ireland Director (Joint), National Autistic Society (NI); and
Ms Regina Cox Northern Ireland Director (Joint), National Autistic Society (NI).
The representatives provided oral evidence on the Welfare Reform Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
Mr David Hilditch joined the meeting at 2.33pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.35pm.
5. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session – briefing by Mencap NI.
The following representatives from Mencap NI joined the meeting at 2.36pm:
Ms Paschal McKeown Policy and Information Manager, Mencap NI;
Mr Paul McGowan Disability and Equality Officer, Mencap NI; and
Ms Teresa Hazzard Employment Services Manager, Mencap NI.
The representatives gave oral evidence on the Welfare Reform Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mrs Mary Bradley joined the meeting at 3.04pm.
Mr Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.08pm.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the oral evidence.
The representatives left the meeting at 3:09pm.
6. Welfare Reform Bill Evidence Session – briefing by the Department for Social Development
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.10pm:
Ms Anne McCleary Director, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD;
Ms Margaret Sisk Assistant Director, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD; and
Mr Colm McLaughlin Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The officials provided a Departmental response to the issues raised by stakeholders during the oral evidence sessions on the Welfare Reform Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 3.31pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek assurances that DSD and DEL would revise the existing staff guidance to ensure that the special needs of certain groups of claimants are properly recognised and managed during the claims process and that specialist advocacy bodies would have an input into staff training to raise awareness of the issues facing claimants with specific needs.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 3:48pm.
7. Forward Work Programme
Agreed:The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme.
8. Any Other Business
None.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting is to be held on Thursday 20 May 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.51pm.