COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 8th OCTOBER 2008
ROOM
135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
The meeting opened at 10:34am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
-
Minutes of the meeting held on 1 st October 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
-
Update briefing from DEL & Central Procurement Directorate Officials on Steps to Work
10:37am Mr Hilditch joined the meeting
10:38am Mr Newton joined the meeting
The Committee received an update briefing from Patricia McAuley, Director of Preparation for Work Division of DEL, Michael Watson, Central Procurement Directorate of DFP, and Brian Doherty of the Departmental Solicitors Office, on the procurement processes of the Steps to Work Programme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Members noted correspondence from the Minister dated 6 th October in relation to the procurement process and an extract from the Steps to Work tender documentation relating to evaluation criteria and their weightings.
Agreed: Members agreed that the finalised Hansard transcripts of this evidence session be published on the Committee’s website.
-
Subordinate Legislation
Members noted and were content with the following item of subordinate legislation: Education (Student Support) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
-
Matters Arising
The Chairperson updated Members on the motion on the “draft Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable treatment) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations (NI) 2008” that was debated on 6 th October.
-
Chairperson’s Business
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. The Committee also noted a number of forthcoming events to be attended by the Chairperson and/or Members.
-
Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
-
Any Other Business
Members discussed the Plenary debate on 7 th October relating to opportunities for special-needs school leavers and, in particular, the Departmental report that will be available in the near future.
-
Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15 th October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:27am.