COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY
9 APRIL
2008
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Dolores Kelly
Barry McElduff
Francie Molloy
Stephen Moutray
Jim Shannon
Jimmy Spratt
Jim Wells
In Attendance:
Damien Martin (Assembly Clerk)
Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Marion Johnson (Clerical Assistant)
The meeting opened at 2.08 p.m. in public session
1. Apologies
Martina Anderson, Tom Elliott.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Invitation from Advice NI
The Chairperson advised Members that he had received an invitation from Advice NI to attend the launch of ‘Tax Credits online’ on 16 April 2008 at 2 p.m. but as it coincided with the Committee’s meeting he would be unable to attend.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2008
The minutes of proceedings for Wednesday 2 April 2008 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters Arising
OFMDFM response on British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body Report
The Committee noted the response received from OFMDFM on the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body Report on “The Irish Community in Britain”.
Response from OFMDFM on Forkhill Ex-Army Base
The Committee agreed to forward to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, the response received from OFMDFM regarding issues raised in correspondence by the Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Response from OFMDFM on Play and Leisure Policy
Members noted the response on the Play and Leisure Policy from OFMDFM and were advised that the Committee’s views would be sought on the draft policy statement once the policy has been agreed by all departments.
Response from OFMDFM on Strategic Futures
The Committee discussed the response from OFMDFM to its enquiries on the report of the Strategic Futures Audit and agreed to seek further clarification from OFMDFM as to what future plans the current administration has for taking forward the Strategic Futures Project.
Committee Hospitality
Mr Wells proposed that the Committee replace its use of bottled water with tap water at future Committee meetings. Following discussion of Mr Well’s proposal the Committee agreed to seek further information on a number of issues, before coming to a decision.
Capital Realisations Task Force Report
Members noted the response from OFMDFM, to the Committee’s enquiry on the values of the assets within OFMDFM, as set out in the Capital Realisations Taskforce Report.
Mr Molloy joined the meeting at 2.27 p.m
5. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk updated the Committee on issues and priorities relating to the forward work plan for April and on priorities for the remainder of the session. Following discussion the Committee agreed the Forward Work Plan. The Committee also agreed to seek information from Senator White on “Age and Ageism” and on the resourcing of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington at a later stage.
6. Child Poverty Inquiry
Written Submission from Consumer Council
The Chairperson drew the Committee’s attention to a written submission from the Consumer Council on the role of financial inclusion and financial capability in tackling poverty.
Response from the Southern Health and Social Services Board (SHSSB)
The Committee noted the response from the SHSSB regarding statutory requirements of interagency meetings and proposals for a statutory duty to be on all Agencies who take part in multi-agency planning for children and young people. Members were advised that a copy of the Vermont Model on utilising a multi-agency outcomes planning model had also been provided and would issue to Members.
Oral evidence session with Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
The Chairperson asked Members to declare any relevant interests in advance of hearing oral evidence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, as part of the Child Poverty Inquiry. No interests were declared.
Representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment joined the meeting at 2.38 p.m.
Members took oral evidence from Noel Cornick, Fred Frazer, Graham Davis and John Hinds, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). A question and answer session followed, at the end of which the officials undertook to provide written responses to a number of questions from Members. The Chairperson thanked the officials from DETI for attending the meeting.
Mr Wells left the meeting at 2.57 p.m
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment left the meeting at 3.05 p.m.
Oral evidence session with Department for Social Development
The Chairperson asked Members to declare any relevant interests in advance of hearing oral evidence from the Department for Social Development, as part of the Child Poverty Inquiry. Members declared interests as follows:-
Mr Molloy declared an interest as the Chairperson of Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.
Representatives from the Department for Social Development joined the meeting at 3.07 p.m.
Mr Spratt joined the meeting at 3.11 p.m.
Members took oral evidence from Dave Wall, Brian Doherty, Stephen Martin and Chris Morris, from the Department for Social Development (DSD). A question and answer session followed, at the end of which the officials undertook to provide written responses to a number of questions from Members. The Chairperson thanked the officials from DSD for attending the meeting.
Mr Moutray left the meeting at 3.34 p.m.
Mr McElduff left the meeting at 3.43 p.m.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Representatives from the Department for Social Development left the meeting at 3.44 p.m.
Oral evidence session with Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
The Chairperson asked Members to declare any relevant interests in advance of hearing oral evidence from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety as part of the Child Poverty Inquiry. No interests were declared.
Representatives from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety joined the meeting at 3.46 p.m.
Members took oral evidence from Andrew Elliot, Fergal Bradley, Patricia Nicholl and Dr Bernie Stuart from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS). A question and answer session followed, at the end of which the officials undertook to provide written responses to a number of questions from Members. The Chairperson thanked the officials from DHSSPS for attending the meeting.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Representatives from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety left the meeting at 4.16 p.m.
7. Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future
Members declared interests as follows:-
Mrs Long declared an interest as a member of the Belfast City Council Good Relations Steering Panel;
Mrs Kelly declared an interest as a Councillor in Craigavon Borough Council;
Mr Shannon declared an interest as a Councillor in Ards Borough Council.
Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 4.20 p.m.
Departmental Officials, Eddie Rooney, Colin Jack, Drew Haire and Ken Fraser briefed the Committee on the progress to develop the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future. A question and answer session followed. Officials undertook to provide a written briefing to Members within a week and to bring forward the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future within the next 4 – 6 weeks. The Committee expressed its desire to consider the programme, prior to the public consultation.
Departmental Officials left the meeting at 5.03 p.m.
The Committee agreed to receive the further briefing on the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future, before hearing from key stakeholders on the issue.
8. Update on the Review of Civic Form
The Committee considered the written update on the review of the Civic Forum and following discussion, agreed to write to OFMDFM seeking clarity on the timetable for the completion of the review and further information on progress in implementing the plan provided to the Committee in December 2007.
9. Correspondence
Copy letter from OFMDFM on Youth Debate in Parliament Buildings, June 2008
Members noted the copy of correspondence to the Speaker, Mr William Hay requesting permission to host a youth debate in the Assembly Chamber of Parliament Buildings in June 2008. The Committee was informed of the commitment by Junior Ministers to consult with the Committee and others on method of selection of young people to take part in the event.
Invitation to Visit Tullycarnet Family Project
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the correspondence to the Deputy Chair, regarding an invitation to visit the Tullycarnet Family Project and the work carried out by Barnardo’s to alleviate Child Poverty. The Committee agreed to schedule a visit to the Tullycarnet Family Project into its work programme.
Copy Letter from Love for Life on Child Protection
Members noted the copy correspondence between Love for Life and the Children’s Commissioner regarding child protection policy and procedures.
Letter from OFMDFM on Lisanelly Ex-Army Base
In response to a letter from the Committee for Education, the Committee agreed to forward the letter from OFMDFM of 10 March 2008 to the Committee for Education and to seek further information on the timeline for acquisition of the site.
Ballymoney Community Childcare
The Committee noted the correspondence from Bumblebees Nursery and were advised that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning are to meet with representatives from Bumblebees Nursery.
Request from DCAL Committee regarding Maze Long Kesh
The Committee agreed to forward to OFMDFM, a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure seeking additional information with regard to Masterplan costs for a multi-sports stadium.
10. Any Other Business
Response from OCPANI on Diversity and the Prerogative Order
The Committee agreed to seek the views of OFMDFM, on issues raised within the letter received from the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
11. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 April 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.21 p.m.