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COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 24 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr David Hilditch MLA (Acting Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Bell MLA
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA

In Attendance: Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Andy Cooper (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA

The meeting opened in public session at 10. 32 am.

Election of Chairperson

In the absence of the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson, Mr Jonathan Bell moved the motion, “That Mr David Hilditch do take the chair of the committee”. The motion was seconded by Mr David McClarty.

1. Briefing from the University of the Third Age (U3A) on Lifelong Learning for Older People

Pat Cunningham, Newry U3A, Dilys Harkin, North Down and Ards U3A, Cliodhna Rae, Causeway U3A, and Aileen Graham from Ballymena U3A briefed the Committee on the activities of the U3A Clubs and on the contents of the DIUS report, The Learning Revolution. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

10.38 am Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting

2. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2010

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

4. Briefing from representatives of Stranmillis College on the proposed merger with Queen’s University

The Committee received a briefing from Steve Costello and Doreen Bell, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governing Body, Dr Anne Heaslett, College Principal, and Mae Watson, Merger Project Manager, on the proposed merger of the College with Queen’s University. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Stranmillis requesting further information

11.30 am Mr Pat Ramsey left the meeting

11.30 am Rev Dr Robert Coulter left the meeting

5. Programme-Led Apprenticeships

Members considered correspondence from various stakeholders on the changes proposed by the Department to the Programme-Led Apprenticeships Programme and discussed the issues raised.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister suggesting a forum event where the PLA scheme can be discussed

6. Subordinate Legislation

The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule which has been laid in the Business Office but is not subject to any form of Assembly resolution:

Question put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered Statutory Rule 2010 No.61, The Employment Rights (Revision of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the ESR’s report, has no objection to the Rule.”

The Committee also considered the following Statutory Rules which have been laid in the Assembly and are all subject to negative resolution:

Question put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered Statutory Rule 2010 No.78, The Trade Union Ballots and Elections (Independent Scrutineer Qualifications) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the ESR’s report, has no objection to the Rule.”

Question put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered Statutory Rule 2010 No.79, The Recognition and Derecognition Ballots (Qualified Persons) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the ESR’s report, has no objection to the Rule.”

Question put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered Statutory Rule 2010 No.91, The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the ESR’s report, has no objection to the Rule.”

11.46 am Rev Dr Robert Coulter rejoined the meeting

7. Report into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland

Agreed: The Committee considered a draft response to the above report, and agreed that it should be forwarded to the Finance and Personnel Committee

8. Matters Arising
Concessionary Fees in Further Education
Members noted correspondence from Bairbre de Brun, detailing questions that she has put to the European Commission regarding the intention of legislation preventing the continuance of concessionary fees in further education for older people.

Proposed Amendments to the Employment Bill
Members noted the response from NIC-ICTU confirming that agreement has been reached with the Department in relation to the above amendments.

Automated Communications Systems
Agreed: The Committee noted the responses received from a number of Departments and agreed that these should be forwarded to Disability Action for comment

Review of Higher Education Strategy
Agreed: Members noted the Minister’s response to concerns regarding the Terms of Reference for the above Review, and agreed to write directly to the Chairperson of the Review clarifying these concerns.

Review of 2010/11 Spending Plans
Agreed: Members noted the Minister’s response to comments from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster on the Spending Plans, and agreed that a Committee response would be considered at the next meeting

Provision of Pastoral Care at SERC
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the College and welcomed the standard of pastoral care provided

Memorandum of Reply on New Deal+
Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Public Accounts Committee in relation to the above, and agreed to write to the Minister outlining their concerns regarding the Memorandum of Reply.

9. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses.

10. Departmental Press Notices and Press cuttings

Members noted a number of recent Departmental press notices and other extracts from the local press.

11. Any Other Business

Support for Carers
Agreed: Members considered the above memo from the Committee for Finance and Personnel, and agreed to respond outlining the work undertaken in this area

Forward Work Programme – for information
Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for the period of March to June 2010.

St Patrick’s Day Disturbances
Agreed: Members considered a number of press cuttings regarding anti-social behaviour in the Holyland area of Belfast, and agreed to return to this issue after the recess

The Chairperson, on behalf of the Members, expressed his thanks to Mr Andrew Cooper, outgoing Clerical Supervisor, for his contribution to the work of the Committee.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 14 April 2010 in Room 135, Parliament Building.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.07 pm

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
14 April 2010

10 March 10 / Menu