COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny 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

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)
Mr Tim Moore (Assembly Research)
Mr Colin Pidgeon (Assembly Research)

The meeting commenced at 11.15 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Autism Bill NIA 2/10

The Committee noted that a motion to extend the committee stage of the Bill would be considered by the Assembly on Monday 24 th January 2011.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding legal advice on the Bill.

The Committee agreed to publish written submissions received on the Bill on the Committee website.

3. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Evidence session with the Department of Education

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Dorothy Angus Director of Access, Inclusion and Well-Being, Department of Education

Ms Debbie Gladwell, Head of Special Education Policy Advisory Team, Department of Education

Ms Gillian Boyd Department of Education

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

11.25 a.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

11.27 a.m.Mr Mickey Brady joined the meeting.

11.35 a.m.Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

11.39 a.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

11.40 a.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

11.42 a.m. Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting.

11.42 a.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting.

12.02 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

4. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Evidence session with the Department for Health, Social Services & Public Safety

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Maura Briscoe Director of Mental Health & Disability Policy Directorate

Mr Peter Deazley Mental Health & Disability Policy Directorate

Mr Charles Bamford Social Services Officer

Dr Ian McMaster Medical Officer

A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

The Committee agreed to seek legal advice on the Autism Bill.

12.13 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

12.47 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

12.50 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

12.59 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.

1.33 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

2.04 p.m. Meeting resumed.

2.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher joined the meeting.

5. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted an update on swine fly provided by the Public Health Agency and agreed to write the Agency for further information.

The Committee noted that a request for information made under the Freedom of Information Act had been made in relation to the Autism Bill.

2.05 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

2.05 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

2.05 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.

2.10 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

2.12 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

2.12 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.

2.17 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

6. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Briefing from Assembly Research

The Committee received a briefing from Tim Moore of Assembly Research on the Autism Bill.

7. Autism Bill NIA 2/10: Evidence session with RASDN Reference Group

The Committee took evidence from:

The Lord Maginnis of Drumglass Chairperson, RASDN Reference Group

Ms Laura Collins Parent/ Carer representative, RASDN Reference Group

Ms Nuala White Parent/ Carer representative, RASDN Reference Group

A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending

2.40 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

2.43 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

3.07 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

3.09 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.

3.14 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.

3.15 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.

3.19 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

3.32 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

8. Draft Minutes of the Committee meetings held on 13 January 2011 & 18 January 2011

The minutes of the Committee meetings held on 13 January 2011 & 18 January 2011 were agreed.

9. Matters arising

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department and the British Dental Association about discussions which have taken place regarding the Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Health Care) (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. The Committee agreed that it was content that the Department proceeds with the Statutory Rule.

The Committee noted a response from the HSC Board providing clarification on management costs and agreed to write to the Northern Trust for information regarding the cost of its board.

The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Trust regarding Cystic Fibrosis Services provided by the Trust.

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding the delay with the Sunbeds Bill reaching Consideration Stage.

3.36 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

3.38 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

10. Budget 2011 – 2015: Briefing from Assembly Research

The Committee received a briefing from Colin Pidgeon from Assembly Research on the draft Budget. Mr Pidgeon agreed to forward further information to the Committee.

3.44 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

3.50 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

3.55 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.

4.07 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

4.12 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

4.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

11. Budget 2011 – 2015: Question and answer session with Departmental officials

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS

Ms Catherine Daly Acting Under Secretary, Resources and Performance Management Group, DHSSPS

Mr Paul Cummings Director of Finance, Health & Social Care Board

Mr John Cole Deputy Secretary, Health Estates Investment Group, DHSSPS

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

The Committee agreed to hold an additional meeting to consider its response to the draft Budget.

4.17 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

4.18 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

Dr Kieran Deeny made a declaration of interest that he was a member of the Western Local Commissioning Group.

4.53 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.

4.53 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the Chair.

4.53 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

4.57 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.

5.03 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.

5.04 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.

5.06 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey rejoined the meeting.

5.09 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.

12. Autism Bill 2/10: Evidence session with Dominic Bradley MLA

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr Dominic Bradley MLA

Ms Arlene Cassidy Secretariat to All Party Assembly Group on Autism

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to consider amendments to the Bill and provide details of these to the Committee for its next meeting. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

4.57 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.

5.50 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

5.58 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

6.00 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting.

6.01 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

13. Statutory Rule. SR 2010/420 The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

The Committee considered SR 2010/404: The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the ESR.

6.17 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan left the meeting.

14. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation paper on DHSSPS Personal and Public Involvement Consultation.

The Committee noted correspondence from Save the Mid Campaign.

The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Sharon Ramsey regarding her role as a carer/parent of autistic children and agreed to write to Ms Ramsey suggesting that she contact her local MLAs regarding this matter.

6.19 p.m. Mr Pól Callaghan rejoined the meeting.

6.19 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.

15. Any other Business

The Committee agreed to write to the Department for information regarding its Cancer Strategy.

16. Date, Time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 27 th January at 11.00 a.m. in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6.25 p.m.

18 Jan 11 / Menu