COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 20TH JUNE 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Mr Alistair Ross MLA
In Attendance: Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting opened at 10.31am in public session.
Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 13th June 2007 and Matters Arising.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
10.33am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
2. Matters Arising.
Members noted a summary of Ofcom’s second annual review of telecoms, television and radio markets in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: Members noted a paper detailing issues arising in correspondence received from the Minister in relation to essential skills qualifications in schools and agreed that the Deputy Chairperson write to the Minister on these issues.
Members also noted a paper from the Assembly’s Research and Library Services briefly outlining the literacy and numeracy course provision in Northern Ireland. The Chairperson thanked Dr Robert Barry for producing the research paper.
Agreed: Mr Attwood raised the issue of possible committee meetings during summer recess. The Committee agreed to assess Members’ availability to allow for potential meetings to take place.
10.42am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
3. Chairperson’s Business (Correspondences and Attendances).
Members noted a number of items of correspondence received by the Chairperson from Professor Peter Gregson, President and Vice-Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast, and Brian Symington, Director of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
Members also noted a letter from the Minister seeking a meeting on 25th June with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson on the Comprehensive Spending Review.
4. Subordinate Legislation.
Members noted two pieces of subordinate legislation received from the Department. These related to the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: Members asked for further clarification on the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and agreed to request a briefing from the Department.
5. Consultation on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Draft Disability Action Plan.
Members noted the consultation on the Department’s Draft Disability Action Plan, which will end on 30th June 2007.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Department be asked to brief the Committee following the consultation process.
6. Confederation of British Industry (NI)
The Committee received an overview briefing from Confederation of British Industry (NI) representatives Declan Billington, Michael Graham, Dr Ian Graham and Nigel Smyth. Issues emerging included the importance of forecasting skills demand and policies relating to apprenticeships. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.
11.42am Mr McClarty left the meeting
7. Department for Employment and Learning – Budgetary Overview.
11.47am Mrs McGill left the meeting
11.53am Mr McClarty returned to the meeting
11.55am Mrs McGill returned to the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Mr Greg McConnell, Deputy Secretary, and Mr Trevor Connolly, Assistant Secretary Finance and European Division, on financial issues within the Department pertaining to the 2007/08 budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.
12.08pm Mr Newton left the meeting
12.16pm Mr Newton returned to the meeting
8. Department for Employment and Learning – Briefing on DEL linkages with the Department of Education the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment.
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, and Mrs Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary on the Department’s linkages with other Departments, in particular the Department of Education (DE) and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI). The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.
Mrs McGill declared an interest as a member of the Western Education and Library Board
12.47pm Mr McCrea left the meeting
9. Any Other Business.
Mr Attwood requested that the Committee receive a briefing from the Department on the process followed with regard to the awarding of contracts for the delivery of the Department’s new ‘Training for Success’ programme.
The Committee requested further background information or briefing on the UK Innovation Fund.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 27th June 2007 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm.