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THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION,
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE 1. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 7 December 2000 Present: Dr E Birnie (Chairman) Apologies: Mrs Joan Carson In attendance: Mrs E Sung 1. Draft Minutes of meeting held on 7 December 2000 Minutes agreed unamended. 2. Matters Arising Noted: The Chairman drew Members' attention to Mr Kelly's letter to the Chairman, and Dr Birnie's response. 2.1 Walsh Visa Agreed: A letter to the Minister outlining the Committee's view of key priorities for the Walsh Visa Programme will issue shortly. 2.2 Minister's Article in Irish News Noted: The Committee's response to the Minister's Platform article of 6 December was published in the Irish News of 15 December. 2.3 Correspondence from Association of University Teachers Agreed: Response to a letter to the Chairman, from the AUT, highlighting their concerns regarding pay, working conditions and Blunkett's three-year package to be considered at first meeting after recess. 2.4 T&EA Status Noted: The Minister's reply to the Chairman's letter was noted. Committee members were to reflect on whether further enquiries would be necessary. 3. Chairman's Business 3.1 Recording Attendance Noted: Following discussion at the Chairperson's Liaison Group Meeting on 29 December, it has been decided that a member's absence from a meeting should only be recorded in the minutes when a "formal" decision or vote is taken. Agreed: Otherwise, late attendance or early departure will no longer be recorded but the Committee reserve the right to revisit this at any stage. 3.2 Unlocking Creativity Noted: The Permanent Secretary of the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has asked to make a presentation to the Committee in early February on "Unlocking Creativity - A Strategy for Development". Agreed: The Clerk will seek the views of the Chairman of the CAL Committee in respect of this offer of a presentation. Further clarification will be sought on crosscutting aspects. Members will be provided with a copy of the Department's proposals. 3.3 Minister's Reception Noted: Members were asked to respond to the Minister's invitation to his Christmas reception. 3.4 Approach to Minister /Committee for Finance and Personnel Noted: John Dallat noted that he had repeatedly sought for the Committee to request a meeting with the Chairman of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. The Chairman asked the Clerk to seek advice on the procedural aspects. 4. Minister's briefing on student finance The Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren, briefed Members on his proposals in relation to the Department's review and consultation exercise, in closed session. He noted that these reflected his priorities of equality, lifelong learning, TSN, with best targeting of resources to widen access for those with specific needs, and boosting the NI skills base. Additional resources amounting to just over £65m extra have been identified for student finance over the next 3 years. The key elements are:
The Minister said that, following Assembly approval of the Budget, his officials would work on the finer details of the package. He thanked the Committee for its input to his review, and offered to return to the Committee early in the New Year to consult further with members - the Committee's engagement would be crucial as he moved towards implementing the proposals. The Minister expressed his appreciation of the work of the review team headed by senior officials within the Department, and the involvement of Education and Library Boards on issues such as loans and fee remission. 5. Committee Discussion following meeting with the Minister The Committee broadly welcomed the additional resources for student finance and the Minister's initiatives to extend access. However they expressed their disappointment that Minister Farren's proposals did not go far enough to meet all of the concerns raised in the Committee's report on student finance. Members expressed specific concerns that:
6. Subordinate Legislation Members considered SR 311/2000 "Student Awards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 which are under consideration in the Assembly on 18 December. The Examiner of Statutory Rules has considered these Regulations and advised that the Committee did not need to pay them special attention. Agreed: The Committee broadly accepted the Regulations, raising no objections. They sought clarification in relation to the bonus paid to teacher trainees in England and Wales. Noted: The Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (No2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2000, made and laid by OFM/DFM, has been referred to HFETE Committee by the Business Committee. It would be considered by the Committee at their first meeting after recess on 11 January. 7. Enquiry into Education and Training for Industry Agreed: Revised costing options were considered. Members agreed that the trip to Denmark, under the terms of those much-reduced costs, would assist them in respect of their enquiry and should be scheduled for some time near the Easter recess (dates for this are 7-22 April). Agreed: Members were asked to review the Research Assistant's analysis of written responses, and advise the Clerk of witnesses from whom they wished to take oral evidence before the first meeting after recess. Any such requests will be included in a paper on forward work programme for the Committee, to be considered at that meeting. 8. Any Other Business 8.1 Press Notices Agreed: The Chairman will approve a Press notice for issue to day, to summarise Committee views on the Minister's proposals for Student Finance. 8.2 Mrs McWilliams proposed that the Committee should lay a motion seeking a debate on the floor of the Assembly in relation to the Minister's proposals. Agreed:Members will return to this matter on 11 January. 8.3 (Raised in closed session) - Agreed: To write to the Department re issues of governance, industrial relations and accountability in Colleges. Return to Open Session 8.4 Noted: The letter from Professor Murphy (BIFHE) re invitation to visit the College; on Public Finance Initiative. 9. Date of next meeting Next meeting of the Committee - 2.00pm, Thursday, 11 January in Room 152. Signed ESMOND BIRNIE |
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