COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY, 6th november 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Micky Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Damien Martin (Clerk Assistant)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
The meeting commenced at 11.33am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s business.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 rd October 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 23 rd October were agreed.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Assembly Commission Annual Report
Agreed: Members noted and agreed the Committee’s input to the Assembly Commission’s Annual Report.
11.36am Mr Maginness joined the meeting.
11.36am
6. Briefing by the Minister for Social Development on Neighbourhood Renewal
Members took evidence from Ms Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development on Neighbourhood Renewal.
The Minister was accompanied by Mr Tony McKibben, Head of Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and Ms Denise Ferguson, Neighbourhood Renewal Unit.
12.00 noon Mr Maginness left the meeting.
12.02pm Mr Maginness returned to the meeting.
The chairperson thanked the Minister and Departmental officials.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should contact the Departments and request a copy of their responses to the Minister’s letter on Neighbourhood Renewal.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification on the status of the response from the Department of Education to the Minister’s letter on Neighbourhood Renewal.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should verify that the Department had sought additional financial support (in its June and September monitoring round submissions) for Neighbourhood Renewal. If necessary, the Clerk to write to the Department seeking clarification in this regard.
12.06pm
7. Briefing by the Minister for Social Development on the Pensions (No.2) Bill
Members took evidence from Ms Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development on the Pensions (No.2) Bill.
The Minister was accompanied by Mr John O’Neill, Director, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division and Mr Sam Dempster, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division.
12.27pm Mr Hilditch left the meeting
12.30pm Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting
The chairperson thanked the Minister and Departmental officials.
12.31pm
8. Briefing by the Pensions Advisory Service on the Pensions (No.2) Bill
Members took evidence from Mr Tony Attubato, Technical Manager, Pensions Advisory Service.
The chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
Members declared the following interests:
Jonathan Craig – deferred membership of the Shorts Bombardier final salary pensions scheme
Agreed: That the Committee supports the Minister’s request for accelerated passage for the Pensions (No.2) Bill on a “without prejudice” basis in advance of the final Bill being submitted to the Committee for consideration.
9. Statutory Rules
The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2008/428: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule 2008/429: The Employment and Support (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report has no objection to the Rule.
12.54pm Mr Maginness left the meeting.
12.54pm
10. Briefings: The Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members took evidence from the following Departmental officials:
Mr John O’Neill, Director, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division
Ms Margaret Sisk, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division
The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Members took evidence from Ms Ursula O’Hare, Assistant Director, Law Centre
Members noted that the proposed statutory rule is subject to the confirmatory procedure and will thus be subject to debate in plenary.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was not content for the Department to prepare the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department outlining the concerns of the Committee.
11. Proposal for a Statutory Rule
Members considered the revised proposal to make a Statutory Rule: The Registered Rents (Increase) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Ms Ní Chuilín asked that it be recorded that an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) had not been undertaken.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking further background to this proposed Statutory Rule.
1.21pm Mr Craig left the meeting
Members noted the contents of The Financial Assistance Scheme (Amendment) Regulations.
1.23pm
12. Briefing by Department: Amended House Sales Scheme
Members took evidence from the following Departmental Officials:
Mr Brian Doherty, Deputy Director of Housing
Mr Stephen Johnston, Head of the affordability Team
1.28pm
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk prepare a response to the consultation on the Amended House Sales Scheme and that, due to time constraints, it should be approved by the Chairperson on behalf of the Committee and submitted to the Department.
13. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received from the Minister in response to the Committee's letter dated 29 September 2008 on Liquor Licensing.
Members noted correspondence received from the Department in response to a request from the Committee for an update on the Department's End of Year Position Report.
Members noted an update on the European Social Fund Matched Funding Position from the Department of Employment and Learning.
Members noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the Federation of Master Builders – Building a Greener Britain campaign.
Members noted correspondence received from the Chartered Institute of Housing about Developers' contributions.
Members noted correspondence received from Strabane 2000 about its iconic bridges project.
Members noted correspondence received from the Minister in response to the Committee's letter on the proposed extension of certain components of Disability Living Allowance to people with severe sight loss.
Members noted correspondence received from Action for Children ( Northern Ireland).
14. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the Committee's Forward Work Programme.
15. Any other business
There was no other business.
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 11:00am in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.32pm.