HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 2001
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr William Hay MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville

Apologies: Mr John Kelly MLA

Meeting opened at 3.05pm in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Approval of draft minutes of 8 March 2001

Agreed. Proposed: Mr Beggs. Seconded: Mrs Nelis.

3. Matters arising

The response on the draft Regional Development Strategy was approved for issue to the Regional Development Committee. The Chairman informed members that, as requested, he had met with the Chairman of the Regional Development Committee to discuss the Committee's response.

Action: Clerk

Members noted the Committee's response to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee's draft Report on Strategy 2010 which had been approved by the Chairman and issued following last week's meeting.

Members examined and approved draft responses for issue to the Department on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Workers during Recognition and Derecognition Ballots, and on two proposed Statutory Rules.

Action: Clerk

3.15pm. Prof McWilliams joined the meeting.

4. Correspondence

Members noted information on the breakdown of Galen's workforce which had been requested at a recent evidence session.

Members noted replies from the Department detailing PhDs undertaken at Northern Ireland HE institutions and the £7 million allocated to the two universities from the Science Research Investment Fund.

3.20pm. Mr Byrne joined the meeting.

5. Briefing from DHFETE officials on Consultation Document "Building a Stronger Network: Developing the Role of National Training Organisations"

Members were briefed by Mr Scott and Mrs McGill, from DHFETE, on the key issues contained in the consultation document. Following the briefing, Mr Scott agreed to answer any further questions in writing. Members directed the Clerk to draft a response for consideration on 5 April 2001.

Action: Clerk

6. Any Other Business

Members considered two consultation documents received from the Department. It was agreed that the Clerk would prepare a summary of DHFETE's draft Communications and Marketing Strategy for consideration at next week's meeting.

Members agreed that the Committee would not respond to the European Directive on Fixed Term Work. The Department would be asked to send a summary of responses received in the consultation exercise to the Committee. The Clerk will seek the views of the Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions on the proposals.

Action: Clerk

Members noted that the outcome of the bids for Executive Programme Funds may be announced in the Assembly on Monday 2 April 2001.

Members agreed that the finalised transcripts of all evidence sessions held in open session should be put on the Committee's website.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed that the Committee's response to the Department on their bids for Executive Programme Funds could be forwarded to the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Action: Clerk

7. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 29 March 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4.40pm.

Dr Esmond Birnie
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee

15 March 2001 / Menu / 26 March 2001