Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Mr Michael Meehan

Apologies:
Mr John Dallat MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA

Meeting opened at 2.07pm in open session.

1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.

2. Draft Minutes of 25 October 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Carrick. Seconded: Mr Beggs.

Members considered the Committee's proposed Forward Work Programme and noted that there would be an intensive period of Committee business in January and February 2002, especially as regards the Labour Relations Agency and the Task Force on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment. The following was agreed:

• Evidence would be taken on both the review of Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals and the Executive's response to the Disability Task Force on the 15 and 22 November 2001.

• More details regarding the work of Prof Loreto Todd on basic skills should be obtained. It was noted that the Department was to publish its Basic Skills Strategy in late November 2001.

• The lunchtime meeting requested by the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC) should be scheduled for Thursday 6^th or 13^th December 2001 if possible.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed that the Department for Employment and Learning's response to the Committee's Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry, due in early December 2001, would be published as a special report.

Members noted the Minister's decision to suspend Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) in Northern Ireland as a result of allegations of fraud in Great Britain. The Committee again endorsed the concept of ILAs and agreed that further information should be sought from the Minister on the current review, before deciding whether to take up the Minister's offer of an oral briefing. In addition, the Clerk was directed to seek information from ILA providers.

Action: Clerk

2.33pm Mrs Carson joined the meeting

4. Briefing from the National Association of Teachers in Further & Higher Education (NATFHE)

NATFHE officials briefed members on important aspects of Further and Higher Education and, whilst acknowledging the good work going on in both higher and further education sectors, illustrated specific areas of concern which included:

• the Department for Employment and Learning's (DEL) view on the success of incorporation for Further Education Colleges;

• resources available to colleges, and in particular falling teaching staff numbers coupled with rising student numbers;

• the absence of both the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education and the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education from ANIC;

• the need for an ombudsman to cover the Further Education sector;

• the increasing workload for teachers which specifically meant greater time on administrative duties and less time for teaching; and

• the increasing percentage of the budget spent on administrative staff and functions.

5. Correspondence

The Chairman informed members that the Minister had not yet responded to the Committee's queries on the management of FECs.

Members noted a request to the Chairman for further information on the composition of committees in the further education sector. The Clerk was directed to request the information from ANIC.

Action: Clerk

Members noted the Department's response to queries, following the recent briefing on the draft Budget and Executive Programme Funds. It was agreed that further information should be sought on the funding provided for the Northern Ireland Business Education Partnership.

Action: Clerk

Members noted the information provided by the Committee of the Centre on its European Inquiry. It was agreed that the Clerk should meet with their Committee staff and draft a submission for clearance by the Committee.

Action: Clerk

Members noted the Minister's response on the quinquennial review of the Labour Relations Agency. A briefing would be scheduled in January 2002, on completion of the first phase of the review.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed to request written briefings on the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE) from both DEL and Assembly Research. In addition, the Committee agreed to ask the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Confederation of British Industry for their written views on the consultation document. The document was also to be sent to the Committee for Finance and Personnel; the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee of the Centre.

Action: Clerk

Members directed the Clerk to draft a response for consideration at the next meeting.

Action: Clerk

Members directed the Clerk to write to the Department asking for the draft Equality Schemes recently put out for consultation by individual Further Education Colleges, and to ask the Department if they provided central guidance in this area.

Action: Clerk

Members agreed that the budget estimate for the Committee to the end of the current financial year should include £20,000 for a possible study visit.

Action: Clerk

Members noted that the Minister for Finance and Personnel would make a statement on Monday 12^th November 2001 on the September Monitoring Round. Members considered information from the Department on the bids made and agreed to seek further clarification on several issues.

Action: Clerk

The Chairman updated members on his meeting with representatives from Education Learning Wales (ELWA).

8. Date and time of next meeting

On Thursday 15 November 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings. The meeting will include briefings from DEL officials and the Cedar Foundation.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 4.03pm.

Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA
Chairman, Committee for Employment and Learning

25 October 2001 / Menu / 15 November 2001