Present: Dr J Hendron (Chairman)
Mr P Berry
Mrs J Carson
Mr T Gallagher (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Kelly
Mr A McFarlandbr> Ms M McWilliams
Ms S Ramsey

Apologies: Ms P Armitage
Mrs C Hanna
Mrs I Robinson

In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr D Harkin
Mrs V Artt Mrs K McFerran

Dr J Hendron took the Chair at 2.04 p.m.

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

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1. The Clerk has circulated details of the documents produced by the Centre for Child Care Research at Queen's University as part of three ongoing projects there. Copies are available to Committee members on request.

2. Following the Departmental presentation to the Committee on the Children Order on 9 February, the Chairman and the Clerk met with the Permanent Secretary where the Committee's unanimous concern about the implementation of the Children Order was highlighted in the strongest terms.

3. The Clerk has reminded the Department of the outstanding answers to questions from the last Committee meeting of 9 February. The matter will be followed up for next week's meeting.

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Agreed: The Clerk will issue a press statement outlining the Committee's intention to conduct an inquiry into the adequacy of children's services in Northern Ireland as it feels that the interests of children at greatest risk are not being properly safeguarded.

Following a wide-ranging discussion, the following draft work programme was agreed. Future major areas for consideration will include primary care and acute services provision.

Wednesday 7 June

2.15 p.m. - Presentation from the Northern HSSB (with emphasis on children's services and GPs' out of hours cover)

3.15 p.m. - Update from Departmental officials on current issues (including the proposed adoption legislation and children's services)

Wednesday 14 June

2.15 p.m. - The Office of Law Reform

3.15 p.m. - The Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency

Wednesday 21 June

2.15 p.m. - Officials from Putting Children First.

The above three evidence sessions will be held in public.

Wednesday 28 June

Committee to consider its responses to the 'Review of the Ambulance Service' report and the 'Minding Our Health' draft strategy document.

Agreed:

1. Ms McWilliams will, subject to available resources, draft a co-ordinated response from the Committee to the 'Minding Our Health' strategy document for consideration at its meeting on 28 June.

2. The Clerk will enlist specialist help for the preparation of a draft Committee response to the Ambulance Report for consideration at its meeting on 28 June.

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1. In order to help focus future evidence sessions, the Clerk will ask witnesses to provide an advance executive summary of their main issues of concern.

2. The Chairman will write to thank the Minister for her letter outlining the current major issues that the Department needs to address.

3. Mr Kelly drew the Committee's attention to a representation he had had from the secretary of the N.I. branch of the Institute of Biomedical Science highlighting the poor rates of pay for its members. The Chairman will write to the Minister in this regard and ask what policy she will adopt in relation to salaries for these workers.

Mrs McWilliams and Mrs Carson left the meeting at 3.25 p.m.

5. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee will meet next on Wednesday 7 June at 2.00 p.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

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DR J HENDRON
( COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN)

09 February 2000 / Menu / 07 June 2000