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COMMITTEE FOR HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, Present: Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman) In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples Apologies: Dr Esmond Birnie MLA Meeting opened at 2.31pm in open session. Mr Carrick in the Chair. Prior to the commencement of proceedings, the Chairman expressed his frustration at the late start, due to the lack of a quorum. Mrs Nelis stated that she had come directly from a meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, which had overrun. Mr Dallat asked the Clerk to investigate how the matter of non-attendance could be raised. Action: Clerk 1. Apologies Apologies are detailed above. 2.40pm. Mrs Carson joined the meeting. 2. Evidence session with the Education and Training Inspectorate As part of its Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry," the Committee took evidence from the following representatives from the Education and Training Inspectorate: Miss Marion Matchett, Chief Inspector; Mrs Catherine Bell, Assistant Secretary, DHFETE; Mr Vivian McIver, Assistant Chief Inspector and Mr Russell McCaugher, Inspector. Following a short presentation on the Inspectorate’s role in promoting standards in further education and training, witnesses answered questions in the following areas: the Inspectorate’s role in improving basic skills in the further education sector and their links with community groups; how the Inspectorate interacts with awarding bodies to ensure consistency of standards; the role of Further Education Colleges in New Deal consortia; how the Inspectorate assesses the effectiveness of relationships between industry and the further education sector; and relationships between Further Education Colleges and the Industrial Development Board. 3.25pm. Mrs Nelis left the meeting. 3. Approval of draft minutes of 17 May 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Dallat. Seconded: Mr Byrne. 4. Matters arising Members agreed the response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel’s Inquiry into Public/Private Partnerships.
Action: Clerk Members noted information from OFM/DFM on the draft Statutory Rule to transfer responsibility for making contribution payments to pension schemes when an employer becomes insolvent, from DSD to DHFETE. Members agreed to issue a letter, as amended, to the Minister regarding the Taskforce on Employability and Long Term Unemployment.
Action: Clerk 5. Correspondence Members agreed to issue a further letter to the Chair of the Board of Governors of the North East Institute regarding the Sherrard Report. Action: Clerk Members noted a reply from the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee detailing future work planned by the Northern Ireland Audit Office in the further education sector and recent NIAO reports issued within the remit of DHFETE. Members noted a letter from the Minister of Regional Development detailing proposals to address issues raised by Statutory Committees in their responses to the draft Regional Development Strategy. Members noted information on the ONE Centre, which was recently opened in Dungannon to amalgamate the activities of the local JobCentre and Social Security Office. 6. Any Other Business Members considered a Statutory Rule at pre-draft stage to ensure that postgraduate students with a disability would be eligible for a new Disabled Students Allowance, which had already been introduced in England and Wales. Members had no objection to the implications of this piece of legislation. Members agreed to meet on 31 May 2001 and to take evidence, as arranged, from Queens University and the Northern Ireland Business Education Partnership. 7. Date and Time of Next Meeting On Thursday 31 May 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3.35pm. Mervyn Carrick Mr Mervyn Carrick |