COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 25 TH June 2008
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill 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 Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Basil McCrea MLA
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
The meeting opened at 10:32am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
-
Minutes of the meeting held on 18 th June 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
-
Briefing from the Queens University of Belfast on the Review of Teacher Education
10:39am Ms Lo joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Queens University of Belfast: Professor Peter Gregson, Vice-Chancellor, Mr James O’Kane, Registrar & Chief Operating Officer, and Professor John Gardner of the School of Education, on the Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:52am Mr McClarty left the meeting
-
Matters Arising
Members noted a paper from the Department on the legislative process for the proposed merger on Stranmillis University College with the Queens University of Belfast and statistical information in relation to the proposed new funding model for Initial Teacher Education.
Members noted correspondence from the Minister following a meeting that he held on 18 th June with Sir David Fell and Mr Steve Costello on the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College and the Queens University of Belfast.
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed proposed changes to the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and agreed that the Committee meeting on 24 th September be held at St. Mary’s University College.
-
Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses.
The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with the UNITE Union held on 25 th June.
-
Departmental Briefing on the Appointment of a Northern Ireland Employment & Skills Adviser and the Evaluation of Success Through Skills
11:55am Ms Ramsey left the meeting, Mr Newton took the Chair
2:11pm Ms Ramsey rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials: Catherine Bell, Deputy Secretary, and Nuala Kerr, Director of Skills and Industry Division, on the Appointment of a Northern Ireland Employment & Skills Adviser and the Evaluation of Success Through Skills. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
-
Subordinate Legislation
Members noted and were content with the following item of subordinate legislation:
- The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
Members noted and requested additional information on the following item of subordinate legislation:
- Industry Training Levy (Construction Industry) Order (NI) 2008; and
-
Any Other Business
Members discussed the Committee Motion on Stranmillis and St. Mary’s University Colleges and the Committee review of teacher education.
12:40pm Mr Butler left the meeting
Agreed: Members noted and agreed procedures for handling requests for information under to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 during the summer recess.
-
Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2 nd July 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:46pm.