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COMMITTEE FOR HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND
EMPLOYMENT Present: Dr Esmond Birnie (Chairman) In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples Apologies: None.
Meeting opened at 2.06pm in open session.
1. Apologies Apologies are detailed above.
2. Approval of draft minutes of 5 April 2001 Agreed. Proposed: Prof McWilliams. Seconded: Mr Dallat.
3. Matters arising The Chairman welcomed Ms Stella McArdle to the meeting. She would be taking forward the Committee Stage of the Department for Learning and Employment Bill and the staffing issues at Further Education Colleges. Mr Dallat asked for a record of attendance at HFETE Committee meetings to be made available. It was agreed that the Clerk would discuss this with the Clerk of Committees. Members noted a draft submission to DHFETE on careers education and guidance. It was agreed that members would consider the document at the next meeting.
Action: Clerk Members noted the final response to the consultation on National Training Organisations, submitted on 12 April 2001.
2.13pm. Mrs Carson joined the meeting. Members examined a draft Forward Work Programme until the Summer Recess. It was agreed that the visit to Denmark would be postponed until September and that the Clerk would update members on options. The Committee would not meet on 7 June 2001. Mr Carrick, Mr Hay and Mr Hutchinson stated that they could not attend the meeting on 31 May 2001. It was agreed that the Clerk would determine the availability of other members for that meeting.
Action: Clerk Members noted that work was ongoing on the information received from the Further Education Colleges.
4. Correspondence Members noted the following correspondence: information requested from the Minister on graduate placements, and an Assembly Research paper on Postgraduate Certificate of Education courses; information from the Department on the criteria for allocating Executive Programme Funds, and on the funding arrangements for the Open University; the Terms of Reference for the Committee for Regional Development’s forthcoming Inquiry into the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Titanic Quarter Leases; an invitation from the Low Pay Unit to a presentation in Parliament Buildings on 16 May 2001; a letter from the Chair of the Education Committee on the recent discussion on adult literacy and numeracy; a timetable from DHFETE for the implementation of the recently announced Student Support package; a letter from Speechmatters, concerning their response to the Human Rights and Equality Consultations; and an invitation from the Sports Council Lottery Fund to comment on their Talented Coach Programme. It was agreed that this was within the remit of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Members considered DHFETE’s Equality Consultation Document on the Student Support Review, seeking a response from the Committee by 15 June 2001. It was agreed to request research on whether these proposals were likely to have an unequal impact in any area, before deciding whether to submit a formal response.
Action: Clerk
2.25pm. Mr Beggs joined the meeting. Members examined information received from the Department on the membership and remuneration of the various bodies for which DHFETE has responsibility. It was agreed that the Chairman would write to the Minister to determine whether the functions of the Training and Employment Agency Board had changed, as the Agency had recently been brought within the remit of the Department. Members agreed that the Committee should issue a written response to the Review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and the provision of independent advice and research. The Clerk was asked to submit a draft response for members’ consideration.
Action: Clerk Members considered the letter from the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee on the timetable for Departmental bids for the 2002/03 financial year, and noted that consultations between departments and Statutory Committees should occur before the Summer Recess.
5. Department for Learning and Employment Bill (NIA 12/00): Committee Stage The Committee were briefed by Mr Alan Shannon, Permanent Secretary and Mr John Murray, Legislation Liaison Officer from the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment. Following the evidence session, members considered Clause 1 of the Department for Learning and Employment Bill. The Committee deliberated on the Department for Learning and Employment Bill. The Committee agreed that it was not content with the Clause as drafted. It was proposed by Prof McWilliams and seconded by Mr Hutchinson that all references to the "Department for Learning and Employment" should be replaced by the "Department of Employment, Learning and Training." The Committee debated and voted on the proposed amendment. Seven members voted for the amendment: Dr Birnie; Mr Byrne; Mr Carrick; Mrs Carson; Mr Hay; Mr Hutchinson and Professor McWilliams. Two members voted against the amendment: Mr Beggs and Mr Dallat. Agreed, "that the Committee recommend to the Assembly that Clause 1, page 1, line 4 be amended as follows: Leave out "Learning and Employment" and insert "Employment, Learning and Training." Agreed, "that the Committee recommend to the Assembly that Clause 1, page 1, line 9 be amended as follows: Leave out "Learning and Employment" and insert "Employment, Learning and Training." Agreed, "that the Committee recommend to the Assembly that Clause 1, page 1, line 13 be amended as follows: Leave out "Learning and Employment" and insert "Employment, Learning and Training." Agreed, "that the Committee recommend to the Assembly that Clause 1, page 1, line 15 be amended as follows: Leave out "Learning and Employment" and insert "Employment, Learning and Training." The Chairman informed members that a draft report would be presented for consideration on Thursday 10 May 2001. Members were asked to complete any amendments to the transcript of evidence on receipt and return to the Committee office as soon as possible.
Action: Clerk Members agreed that a precautionary motion should be laid in the Business Office by the Chairman, seeking an extension to the Committee Stage of the Bill. This would be withdrawn if the draft report was agreed on 10 May 2001. The Chairman put the question, "that in accordance with Standing Order 31(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(2) be extended to 17 June 2001 in relation to the Committee Stage of the Department for Learning and Employment Bill (NIA 12/00). Agreed.
Action: Clerk
3.29pm. Mr Hay left the meeting.
6. Any Other Business Members noted a motion tabled by the Chairs of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Finance and Personnel Committees on "Relief for Businesses affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease." Members considered the summary of recommendations from the Review of Careers Guidance carried out by DENI and the T&EA in 1995. It was agreed that information should be sought from the Department on the extent to which these recommendations had been implemented.
Action: Clerk The Chairman informed members that he had met with Mr Dan McGinn of the Press Association to discuss the Committee’s Inquiry. The Chairman would be giving a paper at the NUS/USI Conference on Student Support on Monday 30 April 2001. Mr Dallat informed members that the Minister for Education was to conduct a review of Keystage 3. The Clerk would liaise with the Clerk of the Education Committee to ensure that members were kept informed of any relevant issues arising from the review.
Action: Clerk Mr Byrne asked that the proposed visit to Shorts should be included in the Work Programme. It was agreed that, if necessary, this could take place in addition to the normal Committee meetings on Thursdays.
7. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 3 May 2001 at 1.00pm in the Civic Centre, Craigavon. Members would lunch with Council officials at 1.00pm, with the meeting starting officially at 2.00pm. This would include evidence sessions with Craigavon Borough Council, NACCO and Moy Park.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3.40pm.
Dr Esmond Birnie 3 May 2001 |