COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 14TH NOVEMBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
In Attendance: Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
The meeting opened at 10:33am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 7th November 2007
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed, subject to amendment, correspondence to the Minister relating to the provision of adult education.
Members noted information from the Department’s Analytical Service Branch and from the Education and Training Inspectorate following their briefing sessions with the Committee on 17th October and 24th October, respectively.
Members noted the schedule for the joint private presentation, on 16th November, with the Education Committee on the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Strategy.
Agreed: Members noted and agreed to a request from NIPSA for sight of correspondence relating to Training for Success training provision.
10:34am Ms Lo joined the meeting
10:36am Mr McCausland joined the meeting
3. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed the proposed responses.
4. Departmental Briefing on the Draft Budget
10:49am Mr McCausland left the meeting
11:05am Mr Butler joined the meeting
11:26am Mr McCausland returned to the meeting
11:32am Mr McCrea left the meeting
11:34am Ms Lo left the meeting
11:38 Mr McClarty left the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Greg McConnell, Deputy Secretary, and Trevor Connolly, Director of Finance & European Division, on the draft budget. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Members noted that the Minister will further brief the Committee on this issue at its meeting on 28th November and officials agreed to raise a number of issues with the Minister to be addressed at that meeting. Officials also agreed to provide further information to the Committee in advance of the meeting.
11:53am Mr McClarty returned to the meeting
11:53am Mr Butler left the meeting
5. Briefing from the Training for Women Network
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Training for Women Network Michael Potter, Training for Women Network Ltd, and May de Silva, Women into Politics, and Anne McVicker, Women’s Tec, on the work of their respective organisations and on the feasibility of establishing a virtual college for women. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Department seeking clarification on the situation regarding the feasibility study for a virtual women’s’ college.
6. Subordinate Legislation
The Committee noted the Statutory Rule entitled “The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/442)”. The Rule was laid in the Assembly on 5 November 2007 and is subject to negative resolution.
Agreed: Members agreed that the issue be deferred to a later Committee meeting following further briefing and information on the Rule.
7. Training for Success
Members noted an update paper from the Clerk on the issue of Training for Success.
Members also noted a proposed informal meeting to be held with the Summit Skills on 16th January.
8. Any Other Business
Members noted that the proposed Committee visit to Omagh College on 21st November may have to be postponed until a later date.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee meeting on 28th November be held in the Senate Chamber.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21st November 2007 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:20pm.