MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF
THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS AT 2.00 PM
ON THURSDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2001
1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 20 September 2001
2. Matters Arising
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposal
4. Tax Credits
5. Any Other Business
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present: Mr E ONeill
Sir J Gorman
Mr S Wilson
Mr M Robinson
Mr D O'Connor
Mr J Tierney
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr G Kelly
Mr T Hamilton
Apologies:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas
The Committee Clerk took the Chair at 02.07 p.m. and called for a Member to speak.
Sir J Gorman moved "That Mr E ONeill do take the Chair of the Committee"
The Clerk asked for a seconder to the motion.
Mr T Hamilton seconded the proposal.
The Clerk asked for any other nominations. There were no other nominations.
The Clerk put to the Members "The question is that Mr J ONeill takes the Chair"The Committee agreed the question.
Mr J ONeill took the Chair at 02.10 p.m.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 20 September 2001
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
There were no matters arising.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposal
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make Statutory Rule in respect of the following -
The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The Committee acknowledged that the Provision of Winter Fuel Payments to older people generally did not necessarily ensure that those most in need received this important benefit.
Mr G Kelly joined the meeting at 02.14 p.m.
Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 02.15 p.m.
Mr D O'Connor joined the meeting at 02.15 p.m.
The Chairman welcomed the Department Official to the meeting at 02.15 p.m.
In attendance: Mr John O'Neill
A summary of the main points of the Presentation and the Q & A is at Annex A.
The Chairman thanked Mr O'Neill and he left at 02.49 p.m.
Draft Budget 2002/2003
The Chairman confirmed that the Minister and officials from the Department would attend the Committee meeting on 4 October 2001 to discuss the Draft Programme for Government and Draft budget for 2002/2003.
Members indicated that the discussions would be more meaningful if copies of the Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) were available to them in advance of next weeks meeting. The Clerk was asked to request copies of the SDA from the Department. Members discussed the implications of not having the SDA to hand and agreed to proceed with discussions with the Minister on 4 October 2001.
Mr G Kelly left the meeting at 03.08 p.m.
Bids for Additional Resources: September Monitoring 2001 - 2002
The Committee considered a letter received from the Department, dated 25 September, and it was agreed that the issue could be raised with the Department Officials at the Committee meeting on 4th October 2001.
Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland - Consultation Paper on Urban Renewal
The Committee agreed that the response from the Education and Learning Committee should be sent on to the Department.
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 4 October 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR E ONEILL
ACTING CHAIRMAN
SEPTEMBER 2001
20 September 2001 / Menu / 4 October 2001