MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2000
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES)
4. Housing Selection Scheme
5. AOB
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr D McClarty
Mr E ONeill
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Apologies:
Sir John Gorman
Mr G Kelly
Mr D O'Connor
Mr S Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr G Martin
Mr D Harkin
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.10 pm.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed
There were no matters arising.
Public Session
3. Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES)
Panel Members: Mr David Crothers, Departmental Official
Mr Brian Moreland, Departmental Official
The Chairman welcomed the Departmental Officials to the meeting at 2.12 pm, after which Mr Crothers briefed the Committee on the rationale behind the scheme, which is summarized below. This was followed by a question-and-answer session, which is summarized in Annex A to the minutes. The Chairman then thanked the Officials, and they left the meeting at 2.53 pm.
DEES, which is part of a national strategy, is viewed by the Department as a very important radical and innovative measure to help to alleviate fuel poverty; it is especially targeted at the marginal cases for whom it is intended as a safety net. It will take account of what is happening in each of the regions. All the main energy players have been consulted.
DEES is concentrated on the private sector, where the greatest concentration of poor are found, but, equally, the public sector is not excluded, as the Department will also be working with the Housing Executive and the Housing Associations to address fuel poverty.
There is a problem with identifying accurately the numbers of households involved, as the last survey carried out on house conditions excluded some relevant questions. This shortcoming has now been rectified. However, in terms of the cost implications the Department is entering uncharted waters.
Given that some of the client groups at which the DEES is aimed are recognized as notoriously bad at claiming, the market will be robustly targeted, and an effective referral network will be established.
The Department is also aware of the importance of following up the DEES through tracking and monitoring mechanisms in order to assess its impact. A holistic approach will also be taken and the DEES will link up with other services where appropriate, for example, where it is clear that a house needs to be made more secure.
Panel Members: Mr Paddy McIntyre, Chief Executive of the NIHE
Mr Colm McCaughley, Director of Client Services
Mr Maurice Rooney, Principal Officer
The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 2.55 pm, after which Mr McIntyre gave a brief presentation on the rationale behind the Housing Selection Scheme as well as highlighting its main points. Copies of the paper detailing the Housing Selection Scheme's rules were provided. There followed a question-and-answer session, which is summarized in Annex B to the minutes. The Chairman thanked the panel, and they left the meeting at 3.40 pm.
- Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Departmental memorandum on the forthcoming Housing Bill be put out for consultation. The Clerk will prepare a draft initial consultation list to which members will then input.
- Agreed: The Clerk will arrange a suitable date for the Law Society to give the Committee a presentation on the subject of the house-buying process.
- The Housing Executive will attend the Committee meeting on Thursday, 5 October to give a presentation on its role in relation to private landlords.
6. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be at 2.00 pm on Thursday, 5 October 2000 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN