COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 4TH JUNE 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Robin Newton MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
In Attendance: Mr Rab McConaghy (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
The meeting opened at 9:18am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 28 th May 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Ministerial briefing on Teacher Education
9:21am Mr Attwood and Ms Lo joined the meeting
9:39am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
The Committee discussed the future of teacher education and the Committee’s stakeholder review with Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning, and Departmental Officials: Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Fergus Devitt, Director of Higher Education Division.
10:58am Mr Ross left the meeting
Members discussed a proposal that a Committee Motion be tabled in the Assembly.
Question put:
“That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to delay the introduction of a new funding model for Stranmillis and St. Mary's University Colleges to allow sufficient time for the consideration of the future funding and educational options for the two institutions in view of the Committee for Employment and Learning’s stakeholder review of teacher training."
The Committee divided: Ayes 6; Noes 2.
AYES
Sue Ramsey (Chairperson)
Jimmy Spratt (Deputy Chairperson)
Alex Attwood
Anna Lo
Claire McGill
Robin Newton
NOES
David McClarty
Basil McCrea
The motion was accordingly agreed.
11:19am Mr McClarty left the meeting and Mr McCrea
3. Matters Arising
Members noted that the Committee Motion on the First Report on Training for Success has been scheduled for Tuesday 10 th June at 3:15pm.
Members noted a research paper, produced by Assembly Research and Library Services, on best practice employment schemes for people with disabilities.
4. Public Consultations
Members noted Departmental public consultation, issued on 2 nd June, entitled “ Proposals to amend Trade Union Law” and “Employment Agencies & Businesses: Proposed Changes to Investigation Powers & Penalty Regime.”
5. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
6. Any Other Business
The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with Departmental officials on 3 rd June relating to the Provisional Budget Outturn for the 2007-2008 Budget. Members noted that a Departmental briefing has been scheduled for 18 th June on this issue. The briefing will also include the June monitoring round, and European Social Funding.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11 th June 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:27am.