COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Minutes of Proceedings
THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr David Simpson MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Mr John Devlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11.02am.
1. Apologies
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 5 February 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
3.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister on the Strategic Business Review of the Social Security Agency.
3.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Hope Centre, Ballymena, seeking assistance with funding issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the chairperson would write to the Health Minister indicating the Committee’s support for the Hope Centre.
3.3 The Committee considered further information on a CIPFA/CIH Seminar: Getting More for Less – Delivering Efficiency in Housing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members could usefully attend the seminar and that Members should individually contact Committee staff to arrange their attendance.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín joined the meeting at 11.09
Mr Alban Maginness joined the meeting at 11.10
3.4 The Clerk updated the Committee on the scheduled visit to a Jobs and Benefits office and the Belfast Benefits Delivery Centre.
3.5 The Committee considered a draft press release entitled, “No Compromise on Benefit Advice and Support.”
Agreed: The Committee indicated that they were content with the Press Release.
4. Strategic Business Review – Impact on local advice providers
The following representatives of local advice providers joined the meeting at 11.05pm:
Derek Alcorn – Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Bureau NI;
Lucy Cochrane – Information and Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Bureau NI; and
Kevin Higgins – Head of Policy and Research, Advice NI.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 11.24am
Mr Alban Maginness left the meeting at 11.58am
The representatives briefed the Committee on the impact on local advice providers of the Strategic Business Review of the Social Security Agency. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 11.59am
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department and obtain further information regarding staff recruitment, training and the Social Security Agency’s customer service statement.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite Citizens Advice Bureau NI, Advice NI and Law Centre NI to brief the Committee on the Opening Doors Strategy and the Benefit Uptake program.
5. Funeral Payments under the Social Fund – Citizens Advice Bureau NI briefing
The following representative from Citizens Advice Bureau NI rejoined the meeting at 11.59am:
Lucy Cochrane – Information and Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Bureau NI
The representative briefed the Committee on the issues surrounding Funeral Payments under the Social Fund. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the representative for attending.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister setting out their views in respect of Funeral Payments made under the Social Fund and the extension of bereavement payments.
The representative left the meeting at 12.15pm
6. Social Security Agency Annual Report on Decision Making and Case Accuracy
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the contents of the SSA Annual Report entitled: “Decision Making and Case Accuracy -1 st January to 31 st December 2007”.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 12.17pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking further information in relation to decision making accuracy, in particular regarding State Pension Credit.
7. Correspondence
7.1 The Committee considered a memo from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister enclosing a copy of the Executive’s response to the Barroso Taskforce Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the OFMDFM Committee confirming the areas of scrutiny in respect of EU matters that the Committee is to undertake.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would write to OFMDFM seeking general clarification on the funding for European programmes.
7.2 The Committee considered a memo from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister enclosing a copy of the Executive’s response to the Committee’s Report on Child Poverty.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking an update on some of the measures identified in the response.
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 12.26pm
7.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure requesting that the Committee forwards a letter to the Minister for Social Development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Minister for Social Development
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the consultation indicating its support for the funding of the arts through organisations including Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships.
7.4 The Committee noted an email from the Independent Review of Economic Policy, inviting evidence.
7.5 The Committee considered correspondence in relation to the payment of staff at the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister highlighting its concern and seeking clarification.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the clerk should determine the responsible authority for the HRConnect contract.
7.6 The Committee noted an invitation for the Chairperson to attend a Social Security Advisory Committee dinner on 2 April 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite representatives of the SSAC to the Committee meeting of 2 April 2009.
7.7 The Committee also noted the following miscellaneous correspondence.
7.8 Shared Space – A research journal on peace, conflict and community relations in Northern Ireland, published by the Community Relations Council.
7.9 What’s New in Life Long Learning NI – Project and Initiative Update.
7.10 NIIRTA News – January/February 2009 issue of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association’s magazine.
7.11 Brochure from Wiseradvisor, offering training courses to money advisors.
7.12 Belfast Healthy Cities Report: November 2008 – Collation of data on health and well being in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust area.
7.13 Vewpoint – January/February 2009 issue of the learning disability magazine, published by Mencap.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Clerk outlined future items of business for the Committee as set out in the forward work programme.
9. Any other business
None.
10 Proposed Statutory Rule – SL1
10.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (National Insurance Number Information: Exemption) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee indicated it was content, on a without prejudice basis, for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department regarding the treatment of partners without a National Insurance number.
10.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security Pensions (Upper Accrual Point: Prescribed Equivalent) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Agreed: The Committee indicated that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
The meeting moved into private session 12.43pm
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the private session could be recorded.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that John Ball, the Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer could be present during the private session.
10.3 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule, The Social Security (Habitual Residence) (Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee indicated it was content, on a without prejudice basis, for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department in respect of the provision of access to benefits for individuals from areas of conflict around the world.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification from the Department in respect of the definition of Habitual Residence.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 11am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.47pm.