MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2002.

Present: Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Mr T Hamilton
Mr J Tierney
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr M Robinson
Sir J Gorman
Mr D O'Connor

Apologies: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Mr S Wilson
Mr G Kelly

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

Private Session

Ms Gildernew took the chair at 2.09 p.m.

Public Session

1. Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Oral Evidence By NIACRO

The Chairperson welcomed the members of NIACRO to the meeting at 2.15 p.m.

In attendance:

Mr Pat Conway - Director of Development
Mrs Sile McLean - Settlement Services Manager
Mr Barry McMullan - Advice Worker

Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 2.19 p.m.
Mr D O'Connor joined the meeting at 2.29 p.m.
Mr M Robinson left the meeting at 3.02 p.m.
Mr T Hamilton left the meeting at 3.13 p.m.

The members of NIACRO made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

The Chairperson thanked the members of NIACRO and they left at 3.15 p.m.

Private Session

2. Social Security Fraud Act - Code of Practice Research Paper

The chairperson welcomed Gillian Kane, Researcher. Gillian spoke to the Research Paper on the Social Security Fraud Act - Code of Practice with reference to the extent to which the Committee comments on obtaining information were reflected in the Code of Practice.

Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 3.26 p.m.
Mr T Hamilton joined the meeting at 3.31 p.m.

Public Session

3. Social Security Fraud Bill - Code of Practice

The Chairperson welcomed the members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Association to the meeting at 3.34 p.m.

In attendance:
Professor Brice Dickson - Chief Commissioner
Mr Ciarán ó Maoláin - Research Worker

Professor Brice Dickson made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

The Chairperson thanked the members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and they left at 3.54 p.m.

Private Session

The Clerk was asked to draft a reply to the Department based on the Research Paper and the points made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

4. Minutes of the meeting held on 31 January and 5 February

The minutes of the meetings were agreed.

5. Subordinate Legislation - Motion

The Committee passed the following Motion subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report:

"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rule:

SR 2002 No. 16 - The Income Support (General)(Standard Interest Rate Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

and has no objection to the Rule"

6. Matters Arising

Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Written Submission from Causeway Health & Social Services Trust.

The Committee noted the written submission from the Causeway Health & Social Services Trust, dated 29 January.

The Clerk was asked to write to the Causeway Health & Social Services Trust stating their written submission had been received outside the closing date of 14 January, but it would be included in the written evidence section of the Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Report.

Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) & Travellers

Mr B Hutchinson proposed the Committee visit the South Dublin Travellers site. Following discussions the Members agreed that the Clerk should travel to Dublin on to make preparatory arrangements in relation to the proposal and also to make investigations concerning The National Homelessness Strategy currently operating in the Republic of Ireland.

The Clerk was asked to produce a draft programme of visits to the Dublin Site and a number of Traveller sites in Northern Ireland.

Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Renewal - A Consultation Document

Members noted that a copy of the submissions, requested by the Committee, regarding the Department's consultation exercise concerning Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Renewal, had been received and is available for viewing in the Committee Office.

Housing Bill

The Clerk reported that he had raised the issue of delays in publishing the draft Housing Bill and that the matter had been discussed at an Assembly / Executive Liaison meeting.

The Committee agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister outlining the concerns of the Committee and inviting him to discuss the issue at a future Committee meeting.

Mr E ONeill left the meeting at 4.23 p.m.

Tudor Renewal Area Residents Association

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 5 February, to the Tudor Renewal Area Residents Association, in which he has agreed to meet with the Association.

The Committee agreed that, in light of the Minister's letter and discussions between the Association and the Planning Service, the proposed meeting between the Chairman and Mr Hutchinson and representatives of the Association should be deferred.

NEA Common Ground Conference

The Committee agreed that Mr ONeill and Mr O'Connor should attend the conference as delegates, on behalf of the Committee and provide written report in due course. The Clerk was asked to make the conference bookings and associated accommodation and travel arrangements.

7. Any Other Business

Landlords Association

The Committee noted the letter from the Landlords' Association for Northern Ireland, dated 20 January.

The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting involving the Chairman, Deputy Chairperson, the Clerk

and representatives of the Association.

8. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 12 February in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

MS M GILDERNEW

DEPUTY COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
FEBRUARY 2002

5 February 2002 / Menu / 12 February 2002