COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 4 th JULY 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mrs Claire McGill 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: Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
The meeting opened at 10.30am in public session.
Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 27th June 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
2. Matters Arising.
Agreed: The Chairperson informed Members that correspondence had been forwarded to the Minster in relation to the FE Lecturers’ pay dispute and the Minister’s reply was noted. Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister emphasising the Committee’s disappointment that the dispute has not been resolved and requesting that the Committee be kept informed of developments.
Agreed: Members also agreed that the Chairperson write to the college management and trade union side seeking their opinions on the current position.
10.36am Mr Butler joined the meeting
The Chairperson informed Members that correspondence had been sent to the Minster, the Queen’s University of Belfast and the University of Ulster in relation to the Republic of Ireland’s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. The Committee noted the replies received.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister for Employment and Learning and to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment encouraging them to work to maximise opportunities for development in key R&D sectors.
3. Chairperson’s Business.
Members noted a letter to the Chairperson from Lifestart Foundation Limited.
Members also noted a non-committee meeting with UNISON to be held on 10th July and a potential meeting to be held during the recess with the Association of Motor Vehicle Teachers.
Agreed: Members raised the issue of provision of procurement of training contracts relating to the Department’s new Training for Success programme and agreed that the Department provide a briefing on this process.
The Committee noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to the Minister for Employment and Learning on proposals for an Ulster Scots Academy.
4. Department for Employment and Learning - Briefing on Higher Education Policy.
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Mrs Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Mrs Siobhan Logue, Acting Director of Higher Education Division, on Higher Education Policy. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session.
11.56am Mr Attwood left the meeting
12.02pm Mr Butler left the meeting
12.12pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting; Mr Spratt took the Chair
12.15pm Ms Ramsey returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair
5. Subordinate Legislation.
The Committee noted the Statutory Rule entitled “The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/293)”. The Rule was laid in the Assembly on 12 June 2007 and is subject to negative resolution. The Committee also noted the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rule. The Committee raised no objection to the Rule.
Question put and agreed:
“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/293) and has no objection to the rule.”
Members noted two policy proposals on two further pieces of subordinate legislation: Student Awards (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007; and Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) (2006 Regulations) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. Both Rules are subject to negative resolution and will come into operation during the summer recess.
12.24pm Mr McCausland left the meeting
6. NI Assembly Research and Library Services Papers.
The Committee noted two research papers prepared by the Assembly Research and Library Services relating to research and development best practice in the SME sector and long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland.
7. Forward Work Programme / Potential Inquiry Areas.
The Committee discussed a programme for the scrutiny of the future work of the Department for Employment and Learning and possible areas that may warrant the Committee holding inquiries.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee meet on 25th July at 10.30am and that the Committee explore further a potential inquiry with respect to employment aspects of welfare reform.
8. Any Other Business.
No other matters were raised.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25th July 2007 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.44pm.