MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON Thursday, 25 October 2001.
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Sir J Gorman
Mr E ONeill
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas
Mr M Finnegan
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.15 p.m.
- Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2001.
- Matters Arising
- Subordinate Legislation - Motions
- Consultation Paper on a Victims' Strategy
- Proposed Children (Leaving Care) Bill
- Report on Housing in Northern Ireland
- Any Other Business.
- Date of Next Meeting
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
Social Security Fraud Bill
Members noted that a letter has been sent to the Minister for Social Development about consultations on the NI Code of Practice.
Copies of the GB Code of Practice were provided to the Members.
Legislative Programme 2001/2002
The Chairman confirmed that he had written to the Minister for Social Development enquiring what plans he has to consult with the Committee in advance of publishing, for consultation, his proposals for a Housing Bill.
Subordinate legislation
The Committee noted the assurance given by the Clerk about the basis for adopting the Motion to enable the Examiner to send his Report to the relevant Department.
Review of Community Relations Policy
The Chairman confirmed that the Committee's response on the Working Paper has been sent to the Chairman of the Committee of the Centre.
NIHE Loans
Following further consideration of a letter, dated 16 October, from the Minister for Social Development, about loan charges, the Chairman undertook to respond indicating that the Committee continued to have concerns and urging action to have the loans re-negotiated at keener rates of interest.
Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 2.22 p.m.
Dungannon Visit
The Committee agreed to undertake a visit to the 'One Initiative' in Dungannon, on Wednesday 21 November, and the Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
The Committee passed the following Motions subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report:
"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:
SR 2001 No. 373 - The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 386 - The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
and has no objection to the Rules."
The Committee discussed and agreed that the Clerk should submit a response to the Consultation Paper.
Mr M Robinson left the meeting at 2.34 p.m.
Ms M Gildernew joined the meeting at 2.44 p.m.
The Committee discussed and agreed that the Clerk should submit a response to the Clerk of the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee. The Committee further agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister for Social Development about the lack of consultation on the decision to make amendments to the social security system.
Mr M Robinson re- joined the meeting at 2.55 p.m.
Members considered and agreed the handling arrangements and the terms of the Motion for the proposed debate.
Fuel Poverty and Health
The Committee noted the details of a fuel poverty scheme being carried out in Armagh and Dungannon areas.
The Clerk was asked to make arrangements for representatives of the Health and Action Zone in Armagh to make a presentation at a future meeting of the Committee.
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 8 November 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
NOVEMBER 2001
18 October 2001 / Menu / 8 November 2001