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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE HIGHER
AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT
BUILDINGS 1. Apologies PRESENT: Dr E Birnie (Chairman) IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs E Sung, Ms A Colville and Mr A McMaster Mrs M Nelis
Mr Hay, Mr Dallat and Mr Byrne made their apologies for leaving the meeting early. 2.1 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the Committee meeting of 8 February were agreed. (i) The Chairman circulated a copy of a letter he had received from the Minister, Dr Farren, dated two days prior to suspension, which provided details on how the additional allocation of m for Further Education College maintenance was to be distributed. The m was divided on a pro rata basis between the colleges according to the number of students registered. (ii) The Chairman explained that the Committee’s process of consultation on the EC Directive on Part-Time Work was foreclosed by suspension and the regulations were now in place. 3. Draft Forward Work Programme Members agreed to proceed with the draft Forward Work Programme tabled by the Chairman, on the basis that the Committee would meet every Tuesday immediately after the House rises for lunch (any time from 12.30 – 1.00 pm until 2.30pm) to progress Committee Business and allocate Thursday meeting 2.00 pm to progress their enquiry and any deliberations on the Student Funding issue. Visit to East Antrim College to be arranged in consultation with the Principal, Mr Blaney, when college is normally operational. Agreed The Clerk will redraft the Forward Work Programme to take account of a number of agreed action points (detailed at points 3-8). 4. Review Terms of Reference of the Committee Enquiry, Timetabling and Budget Considerations Terms of Reference Agreed The Committee revised and agreed the terms of reference of the enquiry: "To examine and make recommendations to improve the contribution of higher and further education and training (including university-based research and development) to Northern Ireland Industry." Timetable Agreed Members agreed an on outline timetable tabled by the Chairman with the proviso that a degree of flexibility should be built in to allow for competing demands on Members and staff time, and matters outside the control of the Committee. Agreed To ask all contributors to provide written submissions in advance of oral evidence. Agreed The Chairman will write to the Minister requesting a written update on the details of the operation and impact of the Walsh Visa Programme, to be followed by an oral briefing by officials. Agreed Members agreed to first seek written submissions by placing advertisements both locally and nationally. Clerk to submit a paper covering costs involved, and draft an advertisement for consideration at the meeting on Thursday 8 June. A decision on what visits are appropriate will be taken after all written submissions are received. List of Potential Witness/Oral Evidence Agreed Members suggested the following witnesses in addition to those listed in Dr Birnie’s paper:
Appointments of Special Adviser(s)/PR Consultants
Agreed A paper was circulated on appointment of potential advisers. Clerk to raise, with Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees, central management of appointment of special adviser(s) and PR consultants (as this may be of common interest to all Committees). Clerk will prepare a composite paper with budget details, including central management arrangements and outcome of this consultation, in time for the meeting on Thursday 8 June. The Committee agreed that the appointment of a special adviser was a matter of priority. 5. Department’s Consultation on Student Support
Agreed A letter is to be issued to the Minister requesting copies of all submissions received by the Department on their consultation document, and also inviting Robson Davison to attend the Committee meeting on 15 June to brief Members on progress of the Review, after which the Committee will take forward its formal submission to the Department. Agreed An amended press release on Student Funding was agreed, for issue embargoed to 06.00 hrs 2 June. Agreed Members agreed that R&D in NI is of crucial concern for the NI economy and whatever consideration Committee gives to it as part of their enquiry has a potential cost-cutting effect for the ETI Committee. The Chairman, who has engaged in dialogue with the Chairman of the ETI Committee, will monitor and report on management of this interface. Agreed The Minister would be asked to provide information on the Department’s public expenditure plans for 2000/01, relating this to the Department’s annual plan, as well as early notice of the Department’s proposals for expenditure over the next three years, related to the strategic plan. The Committee will further approach the Minister for information to the budget allocation to New Deal. Members were advised that there is no Primary or Secondary Legislation currently scheduled for scrutiny by the Committee. 8. The Department’s Draft Equality Scheme
Agreed A paper was tabled by the Chair which provided advice on the generality of departmental draft equality schemes. Members will pass any comments to the Clerk before Tuesday 6 June, and these will be incorporated into a paper for discussion at that meeting. Agreed
The Committee of the Centre has a role in sustaining the overall policy framework for the second New TSN Annual Report.
Learning for Tomorrow’s World Agreed Clarification should be sought on how the Department intends to handle the submission they received as a response to DENI’s consultation exercise. Agreed Committee meetings on Thursday will start promptly at 2.00 pm. Both Tuesday and Thursday meetings will be open to the public unless otherwise specified. Agreed A reminder would be sent to the Minister of the requirement to advise the relevant Assembly Members in advance of any proposed visits to their constituencies and for an advance copy of any press releases. Members agreed to reciprocate by providing the Department with embargoed Press Releases.
Agreed Members agreed to maintain the current system of minutes Tuesday 6 June - after House breaks for lunch, target 12.30 pm, Room 152 (Parliament Buildings) also on Thursday 8 June 2.00 pm in the same room. Esmond Birnie
DR ESMOND BIRNIE 8 February 2000 / Menu / 6 June 2000 |