MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00PM ON THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 2001
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
5. Social Security Parity
6. Briefing Paper
7. Proposals and Draft Terms of Reference
8. Draft Terms of Reference and Timetable for Housing Inquiry
9. Draft Future Work Programme
10. Any Other Business
11. Date and Time of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Sir John Gorman
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr K Barker
Mr L Hart
Ms V Surplus
Apologies:
Mr D O'Connor, Mr E ONeill
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.11pm.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
The Committee noted that the official photograph of the Committee's visit to L/Derry had been received.
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - Occupational Pensions Schemes (Pensions Compensation Provisions) (Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Perpetuities and Contracting - out) Regulations, The Income Support (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and The Social Security (New Deal Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (subject to the Examiner's report).
4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions
The Committee passed the following motion:
"The Social Development Committee has considered Statutory Rule 2001 No.42 - The Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order (Northern Ireland) 2001, Statutory Rule 2001 No. 52 - The Social Fund (Recovery by Deductions from Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, Statutory Rule No.36 - The Statutory Maternity Pay (General) and Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, Statutory Rule No.41 - The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and Statutory Rule 2001 No.56 - The Jobseeker's Allowance (Joint Claim: Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - and has no objections to the Rules." (subject to the Examiner's report).
5. Social Security Parity
Departmental Officials: John O'Neill - Social Security Legislation Branch
Joan Crabb - Social Security Legislation Branch
The Chairman welcomed the above-named officials to the meeting at 2.15pm and they gave a brief explanation of the proposed Statutory Rule - The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The officials briefed the Committee on the rationale for and implications of the proposed Statutory Rule. Following clarification the Committee was content with the proposals (subject to the Examiner's report).
The Officials then made a presentation regarding the principles of Social Security parity a written summary of which was noted by the Committee. The Chairman thanked the officials for their briefing and they left the meeting.
6. Briefing Paper on the Pension Credit Consultation Paper
Researcher: Ms Eileen Regan
The Chairman welcomed the researcher to the meeting at 2.40pm after which she made a presentation. A summary of the presentation was circulated to the Members. After discussion the Committee agreed to adopt the criticisms and conclusions contained in the paper and further agreed that the Clerk should write accordingly to the Department of Social Security. The Chairman thanked the researcher and she left at 2.58pm.
7. Proposals and Draft Terms of Reference for Urban Regeneration/Community Development
The Committee agreed proposals including Terms of Reference, outlined in a paper tabled by the Clerk, in relation to Urban Regeneration/Community Development with the proviso that a line be included specifying that the Committee are 'seeking to promote a Community Development approach'. The Committee further agreed that the NI Assembly Research and Library Services should identify interested parties who would be invited to make presentations to the Committee to enable the Committee to decide who should be commissioned to carry out the necessary work.
8. Draft Terms of Reference and Timetable for Housing Inquiry
The Committee noted the contents of a paper, tabled by the Clerk, which included a draft timetable. The Committee agreed that consideration should be given to inviting an academic to assist in carrying out the necessary work and further agreed that the Clerk should investigate how best to take the matter forward. Mr J Tierney suggested that the Committee include 'disability' as an additional topic in their inquiry into Housing in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed that the inquiry should proceed into the original six topics as previously agreed and that consideration could be given to including 'disability' at a later date.
9. Draft Future Work Programme
The Committee noted the letter received from the Department and the Clerk's response to it. Given the Minister's recent statement that appears to conflict with the information contained in the letter the Committee agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister seeking clarification in relation to the date of the availability of the proposed Housing Bill.
10. Any Other Business
The Committee noted a summary paper, tabled by the Clerk, which highlighted the revised aspects of the Final Public Service Agreement. The Committee agreed that the Chairman would use the summary as a basis for his speech on behalf of the Committee in the forthcoming plenary debate.
The Committee noted the letter from the Department outlining its bid for Executive Programme funds. The Committee agreed that the Clerk is to consider and report back at next week's meeting.
The Committee noted the letter from Esmond Birnie concerning an investigation into ' Education for Training and Industry'.
The Committee noted the letter from the Chairman to the Minister asking when he intends to advise and involve the Committee in the Strategic Options Study into the future financing of public sector housing.
The Committee noted the content of the press release in relation to a further site at Laganside.
The Committee agreed that, in order to progress inquiries into Housing and Urban Regeneration, it may occasionally have to meet more than once a week.
The Committee were reminded that the Social Security Advisory Committee are meeting the Committee over coffee at 11.30am on 8 March in the Private Members Dining Room.
The Committee agreed that, in light of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, it would keep under review its programme of visits.
11. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 08 March 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
March 2001
22 February 2001 / Menu / 8 March 2001