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COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
THURSDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2001
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Mr John Kelly MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA
In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Hilary Bogle
Mr Michael Meehan
Apologies:
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Meeting opened at 2.05pm in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of 15 November 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mrs Nelis. Seconded: Mr Kelly.
3. Matters Arising
Members noted the response from Prof McKenna, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster,
on the number of overseas research students at the University.
Members noted that the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) would shortly
initiate a consultation process on a piece of subordinate legislation to amend
the powers of governing bodies in Further Education Colleges.
Members considered further information from the Minister on the strategic review
of the effectiveness of National Training Organisations (NTOs). The following
points were noted:
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DEL would meet with sector representatives in December 2001 to develop a sectoral
model for Northern Ireland and ensure flexible relationships with the emerging
national sectoral arrangements.
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Whilst the identification of trends in skills needs and the development of
national occupational standards would be undertaken at a national level through
the Sectoral Skills Councils (SSCs), Northern Ireland would retain responsibility
for its own training and career-related delivery arrangements.
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DEL has existing resources in place to meet the costs of such activities undertaken
uniquely in Northern Ireland.
2.14pm Mr Dallat joined the meeting.
4. Briefing from the Law Centre (Northern Ireland) on the Department for Trade
and Industry's consultation document 'Routes to Resolution: Improving Dispute
Resolution in Britain'
2.22pm Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting.
2.25pm Prof McWilliams joined the meeting.
Members noted the summary of responses to the consultation process which had been
received from DEL. As only six responses had been received to date, it was agreed
that any further responses received should be requested.
Action: Clerk
Members noted the papers from Northern Ireland Assembly Research, providing background
information on the consultation document and on the number of Small and Medium-sized
Economies (SMEs) in the Northern Ireland economy. Members were briefed by Northern
Ireland Assembly Research, on the consultation document and on aspects of the
Employment Bill, which was recently introduced at Westminster.
Members were then briefed by Mr L Allamby, Director and Mr M Reid, Employment
Adviser from the Law Centre (Northern Ireland). Their presentation focused on
the following areas:
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The fact that access to legal advice for tribunals was governed by affordability,
which was a disincentive to potential appellants and knocked out strong cases
as well as those with less merit.
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The significant absence of research on claims which were settled before they
reached tribunal stage.
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The lack of an Employment Appeal Tribunal to set precedents and thus prevent
repetitious cases.
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The need for standardised, accessible and simplified procedures, especially
for small employers, who make up a large part of the Northern Ireland economy.
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The possibility of fast tracking small value claims in certain areas.
Members then debated the following issues with the witnesses:
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The conciliation services available in Northern Ireland and the organisations
that could potentially fill this role.
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More effective working relationships in companies with unions.
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Orderly and more timely transfer of information in tribunal cases and the
possibility of greater use of Information and communication Technology (ICT).
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Role of an advocate general type approach.
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Inequality of representation at tribunals between employees and employers.
3.05pm Mr Hutchinson left the meeting.
3.15pm Mr Kelly left the meeting.
5. Briefing from Disability Action on 'Improving Civil Rights for Disabled
People' - Northern Ireland Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force
Dr M Wilson, OBE, Chief Executive, Disability Action briefed the Committee. Following
a short presentation highlighting some of the issues which needed to be addressed
in the Northern Ireland Executive's response, the following issues were debated:
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Need for a holistic approach and joined-up government to alleviate the current
situation where disabled people are four times more likely to be unemployed.
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Access to Further Education Colleges and the tailoring of vocational courses
in the further education sector, and access to Lifelong Learning in general.
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The need for an effective system of public transport for the disabled throughout
Northern Ireland and at all times.
3.30pm Mr Beggs left the meeting.
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The potential for a pilot transition programme for rollout across Northern
Ireland, based on recent experiences in Europe.
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Whether disability related questions were necessary during job interviews
and whether certain types of jobs needed to be ringfenced for the disabled.
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The need to be more prescriptive regarding what employers should provide for
disabled employees, to reinforce the entitlement of the disabled to work.
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Whether the benefits system needed to be simplified and tapered for disabled
persons starting employment.
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Whether there was a need for segregated specialist education for the disabled.
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The need for mainstreaming of funding and a formal plan to deal with the ending
of European Union funding
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Positive action needed to ensure greater employment of disabled people in
the Northern Ireland Civil Service and other public organisations, especially
at the higher grades.
3.40pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
The Chairman suspended the formal meeting at 3.40pm due to the lack of a quorum.
The Chairman decided to continue on an informal basis, in closed session.
Dr Esmond Birnie, MLA
Chairman, Committee for Employment and Learning
29 November 2001
15 November 2001 / Menu
/ 29 November 2001
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