MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN THE OFFICES OF THE CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY, GREAT NORTHERN TOWER, BELFAST AT 2.00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2000
1.Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Subordinate Legislation
4. Any Other Business
5. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Sir J Gorman
Mr G Kelly
Mr E ONeill
Mr J Tierney
Apologies:
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr M Robinson
In Attendance:
Mr G Martin
Mr D Harkin
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Mr F Cobain took the Chair at 2.10 p.m.
Private Meeting
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
There were no matters arising.
Departmental Officials:
Mr J O'Neill, Social Security Legislation Branch
Mr G McCann, Social Security Legislation Branch
Ms E Tinnelly, Social Security Legislation Branch
The Chairman welcomed the above-named officials to the meeting at 2.28 p.m. and they then gave a brief explanation of each of the following eight proposals for Statutory Rules:
The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (Childcare Costs); The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (Housing Benefit Overpayments); The Social Security (Bereavement Benefits Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000; The Social Security (Personal Allowances For Children Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000; The Social Security (Student Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000; Income Support And Jobseeker's Allowance Amendment Regulations; The Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000; and The Social Security (Benefits For Widows And Widowers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
The Chairman thanked the officials for their briefing, and they left the meeting at 2.48 p.m.
Agreed: Following the briefing from the officials on the rationale for and implications of the proposed legislation, the Committee was content with the proposals.
- The Minister has offered to come to the Committee's meeting scheduled for Thursday, 6 July to present the Department's Programme for Government. He will additionally present the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill. The Clerk will liaise with the Department to ensure that members have copies of the relevant documentation a week in advance of the meeting.
- Agreed: The Chairman will write to advise the Chair of the Regional Development Committee that the Committee will respond thoughtfully to his request for its views on the Regional Development Strategy after it has had time to deliberate the relevant issues fully.
- The Committee noted the consultation document 'Action Community Initiative: Draft Northern Ireland Action Plan' and will decide what action to take on it at next week's meeting. (The closing date for replies is 29 September 2000.)
- The Chairman advised the Committee that he had been elected as Chair of the Liaison Committee for the Chairpersons of the Departmental Committees at its first meeting yesterday. This Committee will examine areas of commonality within the logistics of the Committees system and seek to promote good working practices.
5. Date and Time of the Next Meeting
The Committee will meet next at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, 29 June in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting ended at 3.10 p.m.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
June 2000
Footnote: Following the meeting, the Committee had a briefing from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Mr Gerry Keenan, on its performance and the proposed legislative changes that will help to streamline the system over the next two to three years. The Committee had an opportunity to meet with managers and staff, and view the Agency's operations first hand.
15 June 2000 / Menu / 29 June 2000