Present:
Mr Mervyn Carrick (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Joe Byrne
Mrs Joan Carson
Mr John Dallat
Mr Roger Hutchinson
Prof Monica McWilliams
Mrs Mary Nelis

In Attendance:
Dr Andrew C Peoples
Ms Stella McArdle
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan

Apologies:
Dr Esmond Birnie
Mr John Kelly

Meeting opened at 2.04pm in open session. Mr Carrick in the Chair.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Approval of draft minutes of 3 May 2001

The Committee considered the draft Report on the Department for Learning and Employment Bill. Prof McWilliams asked that her preference for the Departmental title, which she had proposed at the meeting on 26 April 2001, be recorded in the minutes.

The Committee agreed the draft Report and directed the Clerk to order it to be printed.

Action: Clerk

Members discussed issues arising from the information received from the Department on Public Private Partnerships and the Private Finance Initiative. The Clerk was directed to draft a response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel's Inquiry, for consideration at next week's meeting.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed to meet as scheduled on 17, 24 and 31 May 2001, but to review this arrangement on a weekly basis.

Action: Clerk

2.35pm. Mrs Carson joined the meeting.

4. Evidence Session with Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Members heard evidence from Mr Paul Hannigan, Director, and Mr Jack O'Herlihy, Head of Development, from the Institute of Technology in Letterkenny. Members questioned the witnesses in the following areas:

• their efforts to increase access to mainstream education for adults with literacy and numeracy problems;

• how the Institute links with industry to ensure that changing needs are met;

• how course content is determined and the number of degree courses offered by the Institute;

• how to improve the image of the further education sector in general;

• co-operation between Institutes of Technology to counteract the future effect of reducing demographics,

• whether government finance has helped to increase access for potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds; and

• the quality of careers guidance offered to students.

3.30pm. Mr Hutchinson left the meeting.

5. Evidence Session with Women's Training Education and Childcare

The Committee also took evidence from representatives of the Women's TEC, as part of their ongoing Inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry." The following representatives gave evidence: Ms Joy Poots, Chairperson; Ms Anne McVicker, Director; Ms Briege Gadd, Director and Ms Helen Crickard, Board Member. Witnesses discussed the following areas with members:

• the advantages of having a separate organisation rather than seeking to achieve their objectives within further education colleges;

• whether the education system is sufficiently flexible to facilitate non-traditional women returners;

• the barriers within the social security system to women's participation in the education and training sectors

• future financial support for the organisation to aid strategic planning; and

• the organisation's links with EGSA and the geographical spread of their remit.

4.20pm. Prof McWilliams left the meeting.

6. Correspondence

Members noted a letter from the Committee of the Centre detailing a Statutory Rule at pre-draft stage, to transfer a number of functions between different departments. The only area within the Committee's remit was the transfer of functions from DSD to DHFETE relating to payments of contributions to pension schemes when an employer becomes insolvent.

Members considered the Terms of Reference for the Social Development Committee's forthcoming Inquiry into urban regeneration and community development. The Clerk was directed to draft a response for consideration, to meet the deadline of 8 June 2001.

Action: Clerk

Members considered a questionnaire from the Committee on Procedures seeking comment on the consultation process for primary legislation. It was agreed that the Clerk would draft a response for issue, subject to the Deputy Chairman's approval.

Action: Clerk

Members considered a Statutory Rule to ensure that Student Loans could be repaid via the PAYE mechanism, together with the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report. The Chairman put the question, "that the Committee for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has considered Statutory Rule 162/2001, "The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, and has no objection to the Rule."

Agreed.

The Clerk was directed to inform the Business Office.

Action: Clerk

Members noted the information received from the Committee office for use during the debate on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Workers during Recognition and Derecognition Ballots, scheduled for Monday 14 May 2001. It was agreed that the Deputy Chairman would respond to the Minister.

Members were informed that Ms McGrattan was leaving to take up another job opportunity. On behalf of the Committee, the Deputy Chairman thanked her for the valuable contribution which she had made to the work of the Committee during her time in post.

9. Date and Time of Next Meeting

On Thursday 17 May 2001 at 1.00pm in the Carroll Gallery, Newry Arts Centre. The meeting would include evidence sessions with Newry and Mourne District Council, Forfás and Sainsburys, as part of the Committee's Inquiry.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4.40pm.

Mr Mervyn Carrick

3 May 2001 / Menu / 17 May 2001