COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 26TH NOVEMBER 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
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Richard Keating (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Jessica Dougan (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
The meeting opened at 10:39am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 th November 2008
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Department of Education on the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education
The Committee received a briefing from Officials of the Department of Education: Dr Robson Davison, Deputy Secretary, Mrs Rose Morrow, Head of Teacher Education Branch, Mr Sean Ward of Raising Standards Division, and Mrs Helen McClure of Statistics Branch, on the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that a further briefing be requested, on the issues raised, at a later date.
3. Departmental briefing on the Employment Bill Public Consultations
The Committee received a briefing from Departmental Official: June Ingram, Director of Strategy and Employment Relations Division, Valerie Reilly, Head of Employment Relations Policy and Legislation Branch, Christine Donnelly of Employment Rights Branch and Andrew Dawson of Employment Rights Branch, on the Department’s responses to its public consultations on “Proposals to Amend Trade Union Law” and “Employment Agencies and Businesses: Proposed changes to investigation powers and penalty regime”. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to produce its response to the consultations prior to the Department publishing its response documents and that the views of relevant stakeholders be sought on the proposal to amend Trade Union Law.
4. Matter Arising
- Subordinate Legislation
Members noted the following item of subordinate legislation: - Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
Members also noted the views of the National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland (NUS/USI) and the University and College Union (UCU) on the proposed Rule that had been sought by the Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister outlining the concerns raised by the NUS/USI.
- Committee Response to the Department’s Vocational Qualification Reform consultation
Members noted that this issue was being progressed with the Department of Education and that a draft response would be brought before the Committee as soon as possible. - Weekly Departmental Update on contingency arrangements for apprenticeships
Members noted an update paper, dated 19 th November, from the Department on this issue.
5. 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.
The Chairperson updated Members on an event, hosted by NICVA on 19 th November, that she attended. The event was aimed at broadening peoples’ understanding of the functions of Assembly Committees.
6. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.
7. Any Other Business
- Draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy
Members noted a paper from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the proposed Draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.
12:21pm Mr McClarty left the meeting
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 3 rd December 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
9. Closed session on major issues arising from the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education
12:37pm Mr McClarty returned to the meeting
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed, in closed session, the main issues and topics to be included in the report on its Review of Teacher Education.
12:47pm Mr Easton left the meeting
12:48pm Mr Butler left the meeting
12:55pm Mr Attwood, Mr McClarty and Mrs McGill left the meeting
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:57pm.