COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 4 MARCH2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, STORMONT
Present: Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance: Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Claire McCanny (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: None
The meeting began in closed session at 10:03am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Members’ information pack prepared for the Committee Motion on the Savills Report.
Noted: The Committee noted a reminder from the Chairperson to advise the Clerk of areas of Northern Ireland Housing Executive disrepair - details of which are to be forwarded to the Department for comment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the draft press release on the Savills Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should re-distribute the relevant information prepared for the Committee meeting of 18 February 2010.
The meeting moved into public session at 10:10am.
Mr Billy Armstrong joined the meeting at 10:10am.
1. Apologies
No Apologies were recorded.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín joined the meeting at 10:11am.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised the Committee that the publication of the Housing Commission’s final report on the Future for Housing in Northern Ireland is expected to be delayed.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 25 February 2010 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Press Release for Committee Visit to Dungannon
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the draft press release for the planned Committee visit to Dungannon on the 11 March 2010.
4.2 Housing (Amendment Bill)
Noted: The Committee noted the revised version of the Housing (Amendment) Bill as amended at Further Consideration Stage.
5. Draft Caravans Bill – Briefing by Mr John McCallister MLA
Mr John McCallister and Ms Annette Holden joined the meeting at 10:14am.
Mr McCallister provided a briefing on the draft Caravans Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr David Hilditch joined the meeting at 10:32am.
Mr Thomas Burns left the meeting at 10:53am.
The Chairperson thanked Mr McCallister for the briefing.
The witnesses left the meeting at 11:12am.
Ms Caral Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 11:13am.
6. Proposed Subordinate Legislation
6.1 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Social Security (Credits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
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 to seek clarification on confidentiality issues relating to the civil partners of armed forces personnel.
6.2 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.3 The Committee noted the Commencement Order: The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) (2010 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting at 11:16am.
6.4 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) (2010 Act) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.5 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Pension Protection Fund (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:18am:
Ms Anne McCleary Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD;
Mr Gerry McCann Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD; and
Mr Maurice Byrne Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The officials provided a briefing on proposed Statutory Rules relating to Workplace Pension Reform. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 11:19am.
Mr Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 11:30am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for the briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11:34am.
6.6 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Automatic Enrolment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule.
6.7 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Employers’ Duties (Implementation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule
6.8 The Committee considered the proposed Statutory Rule: The Employers’ Duties (Registration and Compliance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that that it was content for the Department to make the Statutory Rule
6.9 The Committee noted the proposed Statutory Rule: The Hybrid Schemes Quality Requirements Rules (Northern Ireland) 2010.
7. Statutory Rules
The Committee considered the following Statutory Rule which was laid in the Business Office:
7.1 SR 2010/53: The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Mr Jonathan Craig joined the meeting at 11:36am.
Question put and agreed:
“The Committee for Social Development has considered Statutory Rule: 2010 No. 53: The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and subject to the Examiner’s report recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.”
8. Correspondence
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the disposition of the Correspondence included in Members’ packs should be at the discretion of the Chairperson.
9. National Autistic Society Northern Ireland – Access to Employment and Support Allowance for people with autism.
The following representatives from the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland joined the meeting at 11:38am:
Ms Shirelle Stewart Communications Officer, National Autistic Society NI; and
Ms Caroline Bogue Family Support Worker, National Autistic Society NI.
The representatives provided a briefing on the difficulties facing people with autism in accessing benefits. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Alex Easton joined the meeting at 11:53am.
Mr Billy Armstrong left the meeting at 12:07pm.
Mr Jonathan Craig declared an interest as a member of the Autism All Party Group at 12:11pm.
Ms Anna Lo left the meeting at12:26pm.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 12:32pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) enquiring as to the terms of reference of the PAC’s review of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and suggesting that access to DLA for people suffering from autism be considered in the review.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
10.1 Dungannon Visit
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the itinerary for the planned Committee visit to supported housing projects in Dungannon on Thursday 11 March 2010.
10.2 ESA Processing Centre Visit
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the itinerary for the planned Committee visit to the ESA Processing Centre at James House, Belfast on Thursday 18 March 2010.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 March 2010 at 11.00am in the Bank House Hotel, Dungannon.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:35pm.