COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 16th SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Andy Cooper (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mrs Claire McGill MLA

The meeting opened at 10.03am in public session

Members welcomed Mr Trevor Clarke to the Committee.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Minutes of the meetings held on 9th September 2009

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Matter Arising

Welfare Reform Bill 2009

Agreed: Members noted papers from the Social Development Committee on the Welfare Reform Bill 2009 and agreed to write to affected stakeholders seeking their views on the proposals.

Access to Childcare for Students in Further and Higher Education

Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the wording of the Committee’s motion to the Assembly on access to childcare for students in Further and Higher Education. The motion is as follows:

“That this Assembly agrees that widening access with respect to participation in Further and Higher Education is a key priority as outlined in the Programme for Government and that a significant factor in widening access is the provision of campus-based childcare for students; and calls on the universities, university colleges and the regional colleges to as a matter of urgency examine options for the provision of on-campus childcare, or seek to preserve or enhance existing childcare provision; and further calls on the Minister to advocate this provision with his Executive colleagues.”

DEL provisions in the Northern Ireland Education Bill

Members noted a number of items of correspondence from the Department in relation to the Northern Ireland Education Bill.

NUS-USI Campaign to End Violence Against Women

Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the NUS-USI on its campaign to end violence against women and agreed to receive a briefing on the issue. Members also agreed that consideration be given to attending an awareness raising event at a later date and a possible Committee motion to the Assembly on the issue.

DEL provisions in the Northern Ireland Education Bill

Members noted an amended item of correspondence from the Department in relation to the Northern Ireland Education Bill.

Departmental Consultations

Members noted a number of Departmental consultations and did not raise any issues of concern.

3. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence received.

4. Briefing from Include Youth on the “Give and Take” Scheme

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of Include Youth: Paddy Mooney, John McComb, Gail McKee and Danny Ferguson on the “Give and Take” scheme and the need for its participants to have access to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: Members agreed that the issue be raised at the next meeting of the Committee to consider how the issues raised can be addressed.

5. Departmental briefing on Programme-Led Apprenticeships

The Committee received a briefing from Departmental Officials: Nuala Kerr, Director of Skills and Industry Division, and Des Lyness of Training Programmes / IFI Branch, on Programme-Led Apprenticeships. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: Members agreed that the issue be raised at the next meeting of the Committee to consider how the issues raised can be addressed.

11:43am The Chairperson adjourned the meeting
11:53am The meeting resumed in public session

6. Primary Legislation – Employment Bill

Members noted a revised timeline for the Committee Stage of the Employment Bill.

Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the wording of the Committee’s motion to extend time for completion of the Committee Stage of the Bill. The motion is as follows:

“That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 9th November 2009, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Employment Bill (NIA Bill 9/08) .”

11.55am Mr Butler returned to the meeting
11.58am Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting

The Committee commenced formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Employment Bill.