Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2001.

Present:
Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Sir J Gorman
Mr T Hamilton
Mr M Robinson
Mr J Tierney
Mr G Kelly
Mr S Wilson
Mr B Hutchinson

Apologies:
Mr D O'Connor

In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Mrs Janette Anderson
Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.08 p.m.

Private Session
  1. Minutes of the meetings held on 29 November 2001.
    2.

    The minutes of the meetings were agreed.

  2. Matters Arising
    3.

    Visit to Dungannon Report

    Members noted the report of the Committee's visit to the ONE Centre Dungannon.

    After due consideration the Committee requested the Clerk to arrange for Members to be kept informed of the ongoing evaluation of the ONE pilot project.

    Mt T Hamilton joined the meeting at 2.13 p.m.

    Social Security Fraud Bill - Code of Practice

    The Committee considered a letter from the Minister, dated 3 December, concerning the Social Security Fraud Bill Code of Practice and a copy of the correspondence from the Department, dated 8 November, to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

    Following discussion the Members agreed that representatives from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission should be invited to make a presentation to the Committee to give their perspective on the Social Security Fraud Bill - Code of Practice.

    The Clerk was asked to make suitable arrangements.

    Mr G Kelly joined the meeting at 2.25 p.m.

    Housing Inquiry Phase 2 - Homelessness

    The Committee considered a paper about the research element of the Inquiry into Homelessness and agreed, after discussion about the need for 'objectivity', that Research and Library Services should be invited to bring forward proposals to enable consideration to be given to making an appointment immediately after the Christmas recess.

    Members agreed the Chairman write to the Minister highlighting the Committees deep concern at the growing level of homelessness in Northern Ireland and the urgent need for increased action to address it.

  3. Subordinate Legislation

    4. Proposal

    Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make a Statutory Rule in respect of the following: -

    The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.

    Motion

    The Committee passed the following Motion subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's Report:

    "The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:

    SR 2001 No. 412 - The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001

    And has no objection to the Rule."

  4. Draft Budget 2002/2003
    5.

    Members considered the draft Budget proposals (September 2001 and December 2001) and the Chairman's letter to the Minister for Finance and Personnel ( December 2001).

    Following a detailed and comprehensive discussion about the proposed budget allocation, and having considered options for tabling amendments, it was agreed that the Chairman, and other Members should speak in the Budget debate to register their deep concern about reductions in the funding available for Objective C.

    Sir J Gorman left the meeting at 3.20 p.m.
    Mr T Hamilton left the meeting at 3.46 p.m.
    Mr S Wilson left the meeting at 3.48 p.m.
  5. Parity Legislation
    6.

    Members noted the position paper on Parity.

  6. TUPE - Public Consultation Document
    7.

    Members noted the Paper and Research Paper concerning TUPE and agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister requesting further information.

  7. Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) - Consultation Document on

    8. Bill Of Rights

    Members considered the consultation document and the associated Research Paper and agreed that it was unlikely the Committee would wish to submit a response but that a final decision on the matter should be deferred until the meeting on 13 December.

  8. Any Other Business
    9.

    Automated Credit Transfer (ACT)

    The Committee noted the letter from the Minister concerning the Government announcement that they would begin the process of making Automated Credit Transfer into Bank or Building Society accounts the normal method of paying benefit from 2003.

    The Committee agreed the Chairman write to the Minister welcoming the choice people will have, in respect of benefit payments, following the introduction of ACT.

    The Clerk was asked to contact the N.I Region of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to establish if they still wished to make a presentation to the Committee.

    Greater Shankill Community Council

    Members noted a letter from the Greater Shankill Community Council concerning the issuing and supervision of Housing Executive contracts and agreed that the Greater Shankill Community Council be asked to provide a written submission in the first instance. The Committee further agreed that any presentation on the subject should include a rural perspective.

    Forward Programme of Business

    The Committee noted and agreed the terms of the Forward Programme of Business.

    Travellers

    The Clerk was asked to examine the proposals for housing legislation to determine if it would deal with the needs of Travellers.

    Caravan Parks

    The Clerk was asked to write to the General Consumer Council requesting background information on the rights of owners of 'fixed' holiday homes.

  9. Date of Next Meeting
    10.

    The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 13 December 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

    MR F COBAIN
    COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
    DECEMBER 2001

29 November 2001 / Menu / 10 January 2002