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COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY 4 JULY 2002, Present: In Attendance: Apologies: The meeting opened at 2.17pm in open session. The Chairman informed members that Mr McElduff had replaced Mr Kelly on the Committee for Employment and Learning. The Chairman also informed members that Ms Gildernew had replaced Mrs Nelis on the Committee. 1. Apologies Apologies are detailed above. 2. Draft Minutes of 27 June 2002 Agreed. Proposed: Dr Adamson. Seconded: Mr Hilditch. 3. Matters Arising Members agreed to give authority to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to deal with any matters arising over the summer recess. 2.20pm. Mr Dallat joined the meeting. Following debate, it was agreed to write to the Minister requesting a written brief on the rationale behind her decision to recommend the merger between the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College and the University of Ulster, given that a majority in the Committee had voted against the proposal. Members also agreed to request clarification from the Minister on any cost implications arising from the merger and to clarify why the announcement had been made during Question Time, as opposed to the Minister making a statement. Action: Clerk Mr Dallat informed the Chairman that he considered the incident that arose at the end of the meeting on 27 June 2002 to be closed. 2.25pm. Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting. 4. Committee Responses Members considered their draft response on the Programme for Government 2003/04 issues in the Executive's Position Report, and agreed it for issue. Action: Clerk 5. Committee Report Members carried out the final reading of their Report on the Department for Employment and Learning's Response to the Committee's Report on the Inquiry into 'Education and Training for Industry'. Title page, agreed. Committee membership and powers, agreed. Contents page, agreed. Executive Summary, amended and agreed. Introduction, amended and agreed. Departmental Responses to the Recommendations, agreed. Discussion, agreed. Conclusions, agreed. Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report, agreed that the Chairman or Deputy Chairman has the authority to approve the minutes of 4 July 2002 for inclusion in the Report. Minutes of Evidence, agreed. Written Evidence from the Department for Employment and Learning, agreed. The Committee ordered the Report to be printed and laid in the Business Office. Members agreed to embargo the Report until it was debated in the Assembly but to forward copies to the Minister once it was finalised. Action: Clerk Members agreed that the Report should be sent to all organisations and individuals who gave oral or written evidence to the Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry and also the Press. The Committee authorised the Clerk to make any minor amendments necessary to the agreed Report. Action: Clerk 6. Correspondence Members noted information from DEL that the implementation of the Fixed-Term Work Directive in Northern Ireland would be delayed until October 2002. Members considered a response from DEL on the consultancy costs incurred by the Department. Members considered the Minister's response to concerns raised with the Committee by Mr S McGouran on the Worktrack programme. Members agreed to forward this response to Mr McGouran and to ask the Minister to keep the Committee updated on developments. Action: Clerk Members noted a response from DEL on the work of the Department within the context of the European Employment Strategy. Members considered an Assembly Research Paper on DEL's New Targeting Social Need Action Plan and agreed to return to this at a future meeting. Action: Clerk Members considered correspondence from H J O'Boyle Training Ltd, raising concerns with progression from National Vocational Qualification Level 2 to Level 3 as a result of not passing all Keyskills components. The Chairman informed members that both he and the Deputy Chairman had met with representatives from the organisation. It was agreed to write to DEL requesting clarification on a number of issues relating to Keyskills, which had been raised both in the correspondence and in the subsequent meeting. Action: Clerk 2.30pm. Mr Hilditch left the meeting Members noted the following correspondence:
7. Briefing from the Equality Commission on the Employment Bill Members agreed that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman could, if necessary, seek an extension to the Committee stage of the Employment Bill, prior to the next Committee meeting. Mrs J Harbinson, Prof B Fitzpatrick and Ms M McSorley from the Equality Commission, briefed the Committee on the Employment Bill. Members noted the Equality Commission's written submission, which was tabled. The following issues were debated with members:
3:00pm. Dr Adamson left the meeting.
3:10pm. Mr Hilditch joined the meeting. 3.11pm. Mr Hilditch left the meeting.
Representatives from the Equality Commission agreed to forward any suggested amendments they might have on the Employment Bill to the Committee by the end of August 2002. 8. Legislation Members considered a pre-draft Statutory Rule under the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990. Members had no objections to the policy implications of this draft legislation. Members noted Statutory Rule 244/2002 under the Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and agreed to consider this after recess on receipt of the report by the Examiner of Statutory Rules. Action: Clerk 9. Chairman's Business The Chairman informed members that he and the Deputy Chairman had met with the Minister on Monday 1 July 2002. The Chairman raised the issue of low numbers of participants from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on the Walsh Visa scheme. Members noted that the scheme was up for renewal in September 2002. It was agreed to write to DEL requesting further information. Action: Clerk Members also agreed that following receipt of this information from the Department, a letter should be sent to Congressman Walsh detailing the Committee's proposals to address the issue of low participation in the scheme. 10. Any Other Business Members debated the possibility of initiating a new Inquiry after the summer recess. Members agreed that time constraints would make such an option impractical and decided to concentrate instead on their scrutiny role of the Department for Employment and Learning. Action: Clerk Members agreed to meet at the end of August 2002, if required, to continue their scrutiny of the Employment Bill. 11. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting On Thursday 5 September 2002 at 2.00pm in Room 152 Parliament Buildings. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3.32pm. Dr Esmond Birnie MLA |