COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 07 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Apologies:
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.04 p .m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies as above.
2.04 p .m. Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.
2. Chairperson’s Business.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Justice providing a list of reports placed before the court in the case of James Francis McDermott and Owen Roe McDermott.
The Committee noted the terms of reference for the RQIA review of the McDermott case and the terms of reference for the Criminal Justice Inspectorate review of the handling of sexual offences cases by the justice system in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed that Members should contact the Clerk if they have any comments on the terms of references.
The Committee noted a consultation document from the Department on tobacco control regulations and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would represent the Committee at the Northern Ireland Optometric Society Conference 2010 on Saturday 9 October 2010.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would represent the Committee at the Pharmaceutical Society of NI annual Fellows Dinner on Thursday 25 November 2010.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2010.
The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2010 were agreed.
2.11 p .m. Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting.
4. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a letter from NIPSA regarding the Donagh abuse case and agreed to write to NIPSA regarding this matter.
The Committee noted a copy of a letter from Michelle Gildernew MP MLA to the Minister for Justice regarding the Donagh abuse case.
The Committee agreed an amended end of session report for the 2009/2010 session.
The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust regarding the Regional Neurology Service and agreed to invite the Trust to give evidence to members at the next meeting of the Committee.
2.31 p .m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
5. Proposal from Mr Sam Gardiner
The Committee discussed a motion proposed by Mr Sam Gardiner:
‘ That the Committee for Health, Social Services & Public Safety recommends that funding for Health & Social Services be ring fenced as part of Budget 2010’.
The Committee agreed to return to this motion at its meeting on Thursday 21 October 2010.
The Committee agreed to ask the Department to provide a definition of front line services as part of its briefing paper for the meeting on 21 October 2010.
2.39 p .m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.
2.57 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
The Committee agreed that Mr Alex Easton would act as Chair.
2.57 p.m. Mr Alex Easton took the Chair.
2.59 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
3.02 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
3.55 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
4.00 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.
6. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09
Evidence session with Departmental officials on appointment of Chairperson for the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Fergal Bradley Senior Principal, Child Care, DHSSPS
Ms Patricia Nicholl Social Services Officer, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Evidence session with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Youth Justice Agency and the Probation Board
The Committee took evidence from:
Superintendent Alister Wallace Police Service of Northern Ireland
Detective Inspector Anne Marks Police Service of Northern Ireland
Ms Paula Jack Chief Executive, Youth Justice Agency
Mr Hugh Hamill Assistant Director, Probation Board
Mr Ivor Whitten Communication Officer, Probation Board
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
The Committee agreed to write to the witnesses who gave evidence regarding the operation of safeguarding boards in England seeking their views on the arrangements to appoint a chairperson for the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland.
4.02 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
4.35 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.
7. Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09 Draft Committee report
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the draft Committee report on the Sunbeds Bill until an additional Committee meeting on Tuesday 12 October 2010.
8. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/325. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/325. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
9. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/335. The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/335. The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.
10. Correspondence .
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding amendments to the list of foods available under the Healthy Start Scheme.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Social Development seeking the Committee’s views on the Department for Social Development’s plans to introduce legislation to ban Irresponsible Drinks Promotions and agreed to respond supporting this legislation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Social Development seeking the Committee’s views on the Licensing Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.
The Committee noted a letter from Jonathan Bell MLA regarding anti-TNF medication and a letter from the Minister providing the Committee with an update on this matter and agreed to write to the Department regarding the waiting list for this treatment.
The Committee noted a letter from Northern Ireland Water regarding changes in charging policy for nursing/residential homes and hospitals. The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding the cost of these changes.
The Committee noted correspondence from Chambré Public Affairs seeking a meeting with the Chairperson for Anne Ruglys, Associate Director of Government and Policy Affairs, Sanofi Pasteur MSD and agreed that it would not be appropriate for the Committee or members representing the Committee to meet with this organisation.
The Committee noted correspondence from Early Years inviting members to the launch of its 0-6 strategy on Monday 11 October 2010.
4.48 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting.
5.00 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
11. Any Other Business
12. Date, time and place of the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Tuesday 12 th October 2010 at 12.30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.25 p .m.
30 Sept 10 / Menu
