COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 13 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Apologies:
Dr Kieran Deeny 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)
Dr Lesley- Ann Black (Assembly Research)
The meeting commenced at 11.02 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Autism Bill NIA 2/10
The Committee agreed to ask Research Services to prepare a paper on clause 1 of the Bill based on the issues raised in the written submissions.
The Committee agreed to invite the Reference Group for the Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Network to give oral evidence at its next meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Aspergers Network and agreed not to invite the group to provide oral evidence due to time constraints.
The Committee noted a document ‘The Cost of Autism’ from Autism NI.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Examiner of Statutory Rules regarding the delegated powers in the Autism Bill and agreed to forward this to Dominic Bradley MLA for his consideration.
11.09 a.m. Mr Pól Callaghan joined the meeting.
11.11 a.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.
3. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Evidence session with Autism Initiatives
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Alan Hanna Assistant Director, Autism Initiatives
Ms Grainne Close Assistant Director, Autism Initiatives
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
11.27a.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
11.28 a.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Evidence session with the National Autistic Society
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Regina Cox Co-Director National Autistic Society NI
Ms Shirelle Stewart Co-Director National Autistic Society NI
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending
11.46 a.m. Mr Sam Gardiner joined the meeting.
12.09 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
12.11 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
5. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 16 th December 2010
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 16 th December 2010 were agreed.
6. Matters arising
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing details of the policy on whistle blowing and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing an update on the implementation of Northern Ireland Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports on older people & domiciliary care and agreed to write to the Department for further information.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about new dental contracts.
The Committee noted a response from the Public Health Agency about training in relation the influenza vaccination programme.
The Committee noted a response from the Northern Trust stating that there are no plans to make any changes to Accident & Emergency services at the Causeway Hospital and agreed to continue monitoring this matter.
The Committee noted a response from the Department of Justice regarding tribunal reform.
The Committee noted a letter from Peter Robinson MLA thanking the Committee for its help regarding inquiries to the Department on bariatric surgery.
The Committee noted a response from the Society of Parents & Friends of Muckamore Abbey regarding a Public Accounts Committee report on the Resettlement of Long Stay Patients.
The Committee noted that advice on issues relating to the Ministerial Code of Conduct would be provided at its next meeting.
12.15 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.
12.20 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
12.21 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
12.22 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
12.24 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.
12.24 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
7. Evidence session on Swine Flu with the Public Health Agency
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr John Compton, Chief Executive, Health and Social Care Board
Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health, Public Health Agency
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending
1.04 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.
1.27 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
1.32 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
1.37 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
2.10 p.m. Meeting resumed.
8. Chair’s business
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding recent water supply difficulties and its effect on Health & Social Care services and agreed to write to the Minister for further information.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for details of a review of the Western Health & Social Care Trust.
The Committee agreed that due to pressure of work not to hold further informal lunchtime meetings and to invite organisations seeking meetings with it to a reception for health related groups on Thursday 3 rd March 2011.
The Committee agreed to visit Health & Social Care facilities and hold a Committee meeting in Omagh on Thursday 24 th February 2011.
2.15 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
2.18 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
2.22 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.25 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
9. Autism Bill NIA 2/10 – Evidence session with Parents' Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT)
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Tony Byrne Chairperson, Parents' Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT)
Ms Karen Gallagher Parents' Education as Autism Therapists (PEAT)
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
2.54 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
2.54 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.54 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
10. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/404: The Medicines (Pharmacies) (Applications for Registration and Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/404: The Medicines (Pharmacies) (Applications for Registration and Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the ESR.
3.00 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
11. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/414: The Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Committee considered SR 2010/414: The Flavourings in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the ESR.
12. Proposed Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Children's Homes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
13. Consultations
The Committee noted the following consultations:
- Value based pricing which is to replace the current pharmaceutical price regulation scheme
- Promoting Good Nutrition - A Strategy for Good Nutritional Care for Adults in all care settings in Northern Ireland
- Quality 2020 – A 10 year quality strategy for Health & Social Care in Northern Ireland
- Service Framework for Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Review of Death Certification in Northern Ireland
The Committee agreed to ask the Department to provide it with a written briefing on the outcome of a consultation on a 10 Year Tobacco Control Strategy in Northern Ireland.
14. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the introduction of compulsory registration for social care workers with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the UK Government’s review on Arms Length Bodies and agreed to invite officials to brief it at a Committee meeting on 3 February.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister about a review of the Department’s Good Management Good Records guidance.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding consideration of the Committee’s report on obesity in relation to the draft Play and Leisure Implementation Plan.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice seeking the Committee’s views on a proposal for a Statutory Rule to commence in Northern Ireland Section 2(1)(d) of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. The Committee also noted a letter from the Minister confirming that he is content with the proposed Statutory Rule. The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposed statutory rule.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill and agreed to forward letters to the Minister and the Chief Medical Officer.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding the Planning Bill.
The Committee noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Hospice requesting the Committee sponsor an event in the Long Gallery in mid February and agreed to sponsor the event.
15. Budget 2010
The Committee noted that an additional meeting would take place on Tuesday 18 th January to take evidence on the budget and agreed that briefing papers for the meeting would be issued to members on Monday 17 th January.
The Committee agreed to ask the Department for an anticipated breakdown of administrative expenditure and programme expenditure for the budget for 2011-2015.
The Committee received a briefing from Assembly Research on budget.
3.05 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
3.06 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.
3.09 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.
16. Any other Business
The Committee agreed to seek information on the progress of the Sunbeds Bill NIA 18/09.
3.27 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
17. Budget 2010
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Michael McGimpsey MLA Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Mr John Compton Chief Executive, Health and Social Care Board
Ms Catherine Daly Acting Under Secretary, Resources and Performance Management Group, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending. The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with further information.
4.00 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.
4.11 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.25 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the Chair.
4.35 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
4.31 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4.32 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.53 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
4.58 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
5.20 p.m. Mr Sam Gardiner left the meeting.
5.22 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
18. Date, Time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 18 th January at 12.30 p.m. in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.27 p.m.
Chairperson
16 Dec 10 / Menu
