Present:
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Bell MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Sydney Anderson MLA
Mr Chris Lyttle MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA

The meeting opened in public session at 10.35 am.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2010

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Briefing from the University of Ulster on current issues in Higher Education

Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Deirdre Heenan, Dean of Academic Development at Magee College, briefed the Committee on a range of current issues facing the University, including the Browne proposals for the reform of the student finance system. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

10.44 am Mr Sydney Anderson joined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding a number of concerns raised at the meeting

11.40 am Mr Sydney Anderson left the meeting

11.40 am Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting

3. Briefing from the Chairperson of the Higher Education Review Steering Group on the progress of the Group

The Committee agreed to proceed with agenda item 5.

The Committee received an update from Sir Graeme Davies, Chairperson of the Higher Education Review Steering Group, on the work carried out by the Steering Group and the anticipated time scale for finalising its Report. Sir Graeme was accompanied by Andrew Hamilton, Deputy Permanent Secretary of DEL, and Fergus Devitt, also from the Department. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee accepted an offer from Sir Graeme Davies to return to brief members in December 2010. The Committee also agreed to request copies of the reports by the expert groups who advised the Steering Group.

4. Briefing from the Ilex Regeneration Company on its work in Derry-Londonderry

The Committee received a briefing from Dr Aideen McGinley, Chief Executive, and Gerard McCleave, Director of Strategy and Regeneration, on the work of Ilex to promote the physical, economic and social regeneration of Derry/Londonderry. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: Members agreed that the representatives from Ilex should forward further information on a number of issues discussed with the Committee

5. Matters Arising

The Committee agreed to return to agenda item 3.

• Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

Agreed: Members agreed a draft response to be forwarded to the First Minister and deputy First Minister

• The Browne and Stuart Reports

Agreed: The Committee noted the recent issue of the Browne and Stuart reports on the funding of Higher Education and student finance, and agreed to consider this issue in more detail at a forthcoming meeting

• School Transport issues

Agreed: The Committee considered correspondence from the Minister of Education on school transport issues, and agreed that it should be included as evidence in the Committee’s inquiry into young people who are not in education, employment, or training

6. Correspondence

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

7. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson provided a brief outline of her attendance at forthcoming meetings and events, and drew members’ attention to various invitations.

8. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of recent Departmental and other press releases

9. Any Other Business

• ETI Chief Inspector’s Report

Members noted the above Report

• Regeneration of the Belfast campus of the University of Ulster

Agreed: The Committee considered press coverage of the above, and agreed to ask the Vice Chancellor of the University for further information on apprenticeships to be offered as part of the regeneration of this area

• EC Research funding

Agreed: Members considered an interview with the Minister featured in AgendaNI, regarding European funding for research, and agreed to ask the Minister to include this issue in his next briefing to the Committee

• SME Gateways to China and South Korea –Enterprise Europe Network

Agreed: The Committee considered an extract from the EC Newsletter outlining fifteen contact points now open in China and South Korea, and agreed to write to the Federation of Small Businesses to highlight this trading opportunity

• Translator Courses

Agreed: Members considered an EC press release encouraging universities to offer high-quality courses for translators, and agreed to pass this on to both of the local universities

• Forward Work Programme – for information

Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for October and November 2010

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 3 November 2010 at 10.30 am in Room 29, Parliament Building

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.57 pm

Mrs Dolores Kelly
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
3 November 2010

06 October 10 / Menu