MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2001.
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Sir J Gorman
Mr T Hamilton
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr G Kelly
Mr S Wilson
Mr B Hutchinson
Apologies:
Mr D O'Connor
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.08 p.m.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 15 and 21 November 2001.
The minutes of the meetings were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
Housing Report Phase 2 - Homelessness
The Committee agreed the proposed list of Consultees and that they be invited to make written submissions by 11 January 2002.
The Members agreed the Press Release announcing Phase 2 of the Housing Inquiry and that it be issued on Monday 26 November.
Proposed Children (Leaving Care) Bill
The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 14 November, outlining the new arrangements in the proposed Bill.
Mr B Hutchinson joined the meeting at 2.11 p.m.
Mr G Kelly joined the meeting at 2.12 p.m.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposal
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make a Statutory Rule in respect of the following: -
Proposals for Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order.
4. Fuel Poverty and Health
The Chairman welcomed the members of the Health Action Zone partnership to the meeting at 02.16 p.m.
In attendance:
Mrs Eleanor Gill Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone Manager
Mrs Joan Lewis Health Action Zone Community Energy Adviser
Mr Pat McCauley EAGA
Mr Sam Lockhart Community Representative
Mrs Gill presented the Health Action Zone Fuel Poverty and Health Project outlining;
- The background to the Health Action Zone pilot
- The Challenge
- Findings and lessons learned
- The Results
- The Wider Implications
- Recommendations on Alleviating Fuel Poverty
Mr Mark Robinson joined the meeting at 02.38 p.m.
A summary of the presentation was circulated to the Members. There followed a question and answer session, which is summarised at Annex B. The Chairman thanked the the members of the Health Action Zone partnership and they left at 03.20 p.m.
5. Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland
The Committee noted the letter from the Department of Finance and Personnel, dated 5 November, concerning Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland.
6. Any Other Business.
Child Support Reforms
The Chairman referred the Members to a letter from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, dated 19 November, offering to update the Committee on the Reforms at Millennium House.
The Committee accepted the invitation and asked the Clerk to make the arrangements.
Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People
The Committee considered the Research Paper and agreed a reply to the Clerk, Committee of the Centre.
Drive is on to Halt Mobility Cheats
Members noted the Press release issued on Tuesday 20 November by the Department for Social Development and Motability announcing new measures to tackle Motability cheats.
Minister Welcomes UK-Wide Drive to Beat Fuel Poverty.
The Committee noted the Press Release issued on Wednesday 21 November by the Department for Social Development welcoming the publication if the new UK Fuel Poverty Strategy.
The Clerk was asked to write to the Department seeking clarifications concerning the £4.3M spend this year and the proposed £8M spend for next year.
7. Date of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 29 November 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
NOVEMBER 2001
15 November 2001 / Menu / 29 November 2001