COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Sydney Anderson MLA
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stewart Kennedy (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Allison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
None
The meeting began at 9.34am in open session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2.Chairperson’s Business
None.
3. Visit to the Welcome Organisation
Members noted a draft itinerary and briefing paper for the Committee’s visit to the Welcome Organisation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed a related press release.
4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2011
Agreed: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 17 February 2011 were agreed.
5. Matters arising
5.1 Review of the Ilex Regeneration Company
The Committee noted a report on the work of the Ilex Regeneration Company.
At 9.39am Mrs Bradley declared an interest as a member of a Working Committee for the Ilex Regeneration Company.
Mr Easton joined the meeting at 9.40am.
5.2 Responses to the Consultation on the Volunteering Strategy
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department summarising the responses to the Consultation on the Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add consideration of the Volunteering Strategy to its Legacy Report for the next mandate.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should write to Volunteer Now seeking clarification as to the constraints applied to unemployed benefit claimants who wish to undertake voluntary work.
5.3 Members’ Interests
The Committee noted a copy of the interests of Mr Fred Cobain MLA.
5.4 Future Regulation of Gambling in Northern Ireland – Consultation Paper
The Committee noted a letter from the Department enclosing a copy of a consultation document on the Future Regulation of Gambling Law in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add consideration of the consultation on the Future Regulation of Gambling Law in Northern Ireland to its Legacy Report for the next mandate.
5.5 Final Stage - Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill
Agreed: The Committee agreed a press release for the Final Stage of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill.
5.6 Committee visit to Ballybot House, Newry
Agreed: The Committee agreed a press release for the forthcoming Committee visit to Ballybot House in Newry.
5.7 Fuel Poverty Seminar
Agreed: The Committee agreed a press release for the forthcoming fuel poverty seminar in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
5.8 Response to DSD Consultation on local generalist advice provision
Agreed: The Committee agreed a response to the DSD Consultation on local generalist advice provision.
6. Carer’s Allowance Bill – Briefing from Carers NI
The Committee noted a briefing paper from Carers NI.
The following representatives of Carers NI joined the meeting at 9.47am:
Helen Ferguson, Director, Carers NI; and
Sam Bell, Chairperson of Carers NI.
The representatives briefed the Committee on the Carer’s Allowance Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Anderson joined the meeting at 9.47am.
Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 10.12am.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.13am.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.
The representatives left the meeting at 10.19am.
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr David McNarry MLA indicating that he will be unable to brief the Committee on the Carer’s Allowance Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek: further information on the UK costings for a proposed 2-tier version of Carer’s Allowance; details of the Executive’s support services provided for young carers and clarification as to the provision of statutory respite for carers.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should commission research on the above and on the equivalent of Carer’s Allowance in the Republic of Ireland.
7. Subordinate Legislation
7.1The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10.22am:
Anne McCleary, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD; and
Michael Pollock, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, DSD.
The officials briefed the Committee on the proposed rule. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Ms Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting at 10.32am.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 10.39am.
Following discussion and in the absence of consensus, the Committee divided as follows on the motion “that the Committee is content for the proposed statutory rule: the Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 to be made”:
Ayes 4; Noes 3; Abstentions: 2
AYES
Mr Sydney Anderson
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alex Easton
Ms Anna Lo
NOES
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Fra McCann
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
ABSTENTIONS
Mrs Mary Bradley
Mr Tommy Gallagher
The motion was carried.
Members expressed concerns in respect of the impact of the proposed rule on Local Housing Allowance claimants who may require houses with more than 4 bedrooms.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would seek further information from the Department on the duration of Discretionary Housing Payments.
7.2The Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
7.3 The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
7.4 The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the proposed Statutory Rule to be made.
7.5 Preparing for automatic enrolment: Call for Evidence
The Committee noted the call for evidence relating to occupational pensions entitled: Preparing for automatic enrolment.
8. Correspondence
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 10.45am.
8.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in response to the Committee’s letter of 20 January 2011 regarding the Social Protection Fund. The Department advised that the Fund will be controlled by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and that all Executive Departments will have access to the Fund. The Department advised that no guidance on the operation of Fund has been provided.
8.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in response to the Committee’s letter of 1 February 2011 regarding Derry City Council’s document entitled ‘Advocating for change in policy around alcohol misuse’.
8.3 The Committee considered correspondence from the Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment forwarding correspondence from Minister Poots regarding the Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Action Plan to the Department for comment on the cross-departmental actions which are relevant to the Department for Social Development.
8.4 The Committee noted correspondence from Volunteer Now.
8.5 The Committee noted correspondence from Employers for Childcare (Charitable Group) forwarding a copy of its response to the Department’s draft budget 2011-2015.
8.6 The Committee noted correspondence from Colleges Northern Ireland providing a response to the Executive’s draft Budget 2011-2015.
8.7 The Committee considered correspondence from the Regeneration Strategy Board for Derry/Londonderry providing a response to the Executive’s draft Budget 2011-2015.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek comment from the Department on how its urban regeneration strategies will address some of the concerns in the Regeneration Strategy Board document.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 10.47am.
8.8 The Committee considered correspondence from Action Cancer providing written evidence for the Committee Stage of the Carer’s Allowance Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to include this evidence in the Committee report on the Carer’s Allowance Bill.
8.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister forwarding a Departmental briefing and draft Discussion Paper on European Engagement by the Northern Ireland Executive.
8.10 The Committee considered correspondence from the OFMDFM Committee forwarding correspondence from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the Legislative Consent Motion relating to the Westminster Public Bodies Bill. The Bill will allow for the merger, abolition and reform of bodies such as the Pensions Ombudsman and the Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman; Board of the Pension Protection Fund; National Employment Savings Trust Corporation and Social Security Advisory Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed it was content to support the Legislative Consent Motion insofar as it applied to the activities of the Department for Social Development.
8.11 The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the above Legislative Consent Motion.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek further details on the type of procedure by which Assembly consent is to be sought when the responsibilities of Executive Departments are altered by the Public Bodies Bill.
8.12 The Committee noted correspondence from Advice NI providing a copy of their press release which outlines a number of concerns in relation to the new Welfare Reform Bill.
8.13 The Committee noted an invitation from the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Law Society to seminars on the Department’s strategy “Building Sound Foundations” and the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill and Developers’ Contributions.
8.14 The Committee noted an invitation to a reception to celebrate the potential of community gardening and allotments in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 15 March at 12pm in Parliament Buildings.
8.15 The Committee considered an invitation from the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council which is holding a seminar on shared housing. The event will be held on Wednesday 9 March 2011 at 9.30am in Farset International, Springfield Road.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a member of the Assembly Research & Library Service would attend the seminar and report back to the Committee.
8.16 The Committee noted items of miscellaneous correspondence from the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.
9. SHDP Strategic Guidelines Draft EQIA consultation –Briefing from NIHE officials
The Committee noted the Housing Executive’s briefing paper and summary of responses to the draft EQIA.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.52am to brief Members on the consultation on the draft Equality Impact Assessment for the Strategic Guidelines for the Social Housing Development Programme.
Esther Christie, Assistant Director Corporate Services, NIHE;
Tony Steed, Equality Manager, NIHE; and
Keery Irvine, Strategic Development Manager, NIHE.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the officials for their briefing.
The officials left the meeting at 11.50am.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Forward Work Programme as amended.
11. Any Other Business
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department to seek clarity on the procedures by which visually impaired claimants can provide evidence for their eligibility for the higher mobility rate for Disability Living Allowance.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10 March 2011 Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry at 10:00am.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.54am.
Mr Simon Hamilton MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development.
10 March 2011
17 February 11 / Menu
