Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2001.

Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Mr D O'Connor
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr S Wilson

Apologies:
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Mr G Kelly
Sir J Gorman

In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Miss F Douglas
Mrs J Anderson


Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.50 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the meetings held on 22 November 2001.
The minutes of the meetings were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Loan Charges

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 20 November, stating that the re-negotiation of Loan Charges is being examined in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Personnel, and the Committee will be advised of the outcome.

Social Security Fraud Act - Code of Practice


Members noted a letter from the Director of Benefit Security, dated 26 November, concerning Public Consultation on the draft statutory Code of Practice for the information gathering measures contained in the Social Security Fraud Act (Northern Ireland) 2001.
After due consideration the Committee agreed that research be commissioned to ensure that views expressed during the Committee stage of the Bill, the Committee's subsequent report and the debate in the Assembly have been taken on board. The Committee further agreed to invite Officials to attend a future meeting after the research paper has been considered.

First Report on Housing in Northern Ireland

The Committee noted that due to an administrative oversight 3 of the written submissions, received from the Housing Executive during the Inquiry, were omitted from Volume 2 of the Committee's report. The Committee agreed that, as a remedial action, the 3 papers be added to the Committee Report section of the website.

3. Subordinate Legislation

Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make a Statutory Rule in respect of the following: -

Proposals for The Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.

Noted: The Committee noted the Commencement Order in respect of the following:-
Proposals for Commencement Orders in Respect of the Social Security Fraud Bill

Motions

The Committee passed the following Motions subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's Report:


"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:
SR 2001 No. 406 - The Income Support (General) and Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,
SR 2001 No. 410 - The Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
And has no objection to the Rules."

4. Consultation Paper on Private Pensions Simplification

Members noted a letter from the Department, dated 21 November, concerning Private Pensions Simplification, and details of the Consultation.

The Committee agreed that research be commissioned for presentation to the Committee immediately following the Christmas Recess.

5. Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs

The Committee noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs, dated 22 November, requesting a meeting with the Committee to discuss amendments to the 1996 Clubs Order and Accounts Regulations.

Members considered and agreed the Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs is invited to present to the Committee at their meeting on 13 December 2001.

The Clerk was requested to make arrangements for the circulation of Federation papers, to Members, for consideration prior to the meeting.

6. Any Other Business.

North Belfast's Gainsborough and Mountcollyer Areas get £16.5M Boost.

The Committee noted the Press Release, issued on Tuesday 27 November, by the Department for Social Development announcing the investment of £16.5M in Gainsborough and Mountcollyer areas of North Belfast.

Independent Advice Centres

The Members agreed the format of the Press Release concerning the Chairman's presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Independent Advice Centres.


7. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 6 December 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
DECEMBER 2001

22 November 2001 / Menu / 6 December 2001