COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2009
MILLENNIUM FORUM, DERRY, COUNTY LONDONDERRY
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
The meeting began in public session at 11.16am.
1. Apologies
Apologies were as indicated above.
2. Committee Visit to Shepherd’s View Project.
Noted: The Committee noted information relating to the Shepherd’s View Project.
Noted: The Chairperson formally thanked the Council for the Homeless for facilitating the Committee visit.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 3 December 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Green Paper – Shaping the Future of Care Together
Agreed: The Committee agreed that its response to the consultation on the Shaping the Future of Care Together Green Paper should include references to the need for joined-up working between the Department and relevant agencies so as to ensure appropriate support for carers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed a press release relating to its response to the consultation.
4.2 The Housing Bill ( Northern Ireland) – Consultation Document
Noted: The Committee noted a copy of the Department’s consultation document on The Housing Bill ( Northern Ireland).
5. Northern Ireland Housing Executive 38 th Annual Report –NIHE Briefing.
The following NIHE officials joined the meeting at 11:22am:
Paddy McIntyre Chief Executive, NIHE; and
Clark Bailie Director of Finance, NIHE.
The officials provided a briefing on NIHE’s 38 th Annual Report. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking the following:
- details of the private sector Renovation Grant backlog;
- confirmation of current year completion performance in respect of Disabled Adaptations;
- information on how Partner Landlord Schemes have been revised to reflect the lessons learned from the pilots undertaken in Newry and Ballymena;
- clarification on whether the Department had made any recommendations on the removal of ring-fencing from the Strategic Guidelines of the Social Housing Development Programme;
- confirmation of the timing of the decision by the NIHE Board to remove ring-fencing; and
- details of the impact of the removal of ring-fencing from formerly ring-fenced areas.
Agreed: The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking the Housing Executive’s views on the interim report of the Commission for the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 12:03pm.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
The following Departmental official joined the meeting at 12:04pm:
Colm McLaughlin Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The official provided a briefing on three proposed Statutory Rules to be considered by the Committee. This was followed by a question and answer session.
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Income Support (Prescribed Categories of Person) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on the development of a childcare strategy and mitigating actions to be undertaken by the Department including the reduction of transfer times for claimants moving from Income Support to Employment Support Allowance.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the proposed Statutory Rule to the Committee for Employment and Learning for their information.
- The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 12:25pm.
- The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarification on the range of benefits to which migrant workers are entitled and further information on measures to mitigate the impact of the removal of Urgent Case Payments.
6.4 The Committee considered the draft EQIA on The Social Security (Equalisation of State Pension Age) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed its submission to the Department’s consultation on the draft EQIA and highlighted its concerns in relation to the disproportionate impact of the proposed Regulations on people on low incomes particularly women and those with a disability or limited mobility.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting at 12:31pm.
The Chairperson thanked the official for the briefing.
The official left the meeting at 12:33pm.
7. Review of Gambling Policy- Departmental briefing
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 12:36pm:
Henry Johnston Director, Urban Regeneration Strategy Directorate, DSD; and
Pat McAlister Head of the Social Policy Unit, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on the review of monetary limits on gaming machine stakes and prizes and the review of gambling policy, practice and law. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department expressing the Committee’s opposition to proposed subordinate legislation which would increase the monetary limit on gaming machine stakes and prizes.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to request an update on the review of gambling policy, practice and law. The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should seek clarification on the current enforcement role of district councils in respect of gambling and the scope for enhancing enforcement of the existing regulations by district councils.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 1:12pm.
8. Community Investment Fund Update –briefing.
The following representatives from the Community Development Network Forum joined the meeting at 1:13pm:
Cathy Rice Ards Development Bureau & Community Network;
Ann McNickle Coleraine Rural and Urban Network; and
Colin Devine North West Community Network.
The representatives provided an update on funding issues associated with the Community Investment Fund. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek an update on funding for the Community Investment Fund and clarification in respect of two-year funding contracts awarded to community organisations.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 1:39pm.
9. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
10. A.O.B.
10.1 The Chairperson extended Season’s Greetings to Committee Members and staff.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7 January 2010 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.41pm.