MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
AT 2.00 PM ON THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2002.
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 S Wilson
Mr B Hutchinson
Apologies:
Mr G Kelly
In Attendance:
Mr S Graham
Mr L McLernon
Mrs Janette Anderson
Miss F Douglas
Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.06 p.m.
Private Session
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2001.
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
Visit to the Child Support Agency (CSA)
Members noted the visit to the Child Support Agency, scheduled for Thursday morning, 17 January, had been postponed. The Clerk was asked to reschedule the visit, possibly as part of a regular Committee meeting.
Mr E ONeill joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.
Ms M Gildernew joined the meeting at 2.13 p.m.
Revised Budget 2002 - 2003
The Committee noted the letter from the Social Development Minister, dated 14 January, concerning the Revised Budget 2002 - 2003. Members recalled they had agreed, previously, that the Chairman should write to the Minister for Finance and Personnel on the subject. However, and in the light of the letter from the Social Development Minister, the Clerk was asked to draft a response to the letter of 14 January for consideration by the Committee. The Committee agreed that, in light of this decision, a letter to the Minister for Finance and Personnel might not be necessary.
Mr S Wilson joined the meeting at 2.18 p.m.
Mr T Hamilton joined the meeting at 2.22 p.m.
Rent Increases
Members noted the letter from the Minister concerning the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Rent Increase for 2002/03.
A suggested response to that letter was tabled for consideration and, following brief discussion, the Committee agreed that the letter should issue, as drafted.
The Committee then considered an associated, proposed Press Release. Following extensive discussion, the Committee agreed that the first paragraph should reflect that the Committee welcomed the Minister's announcement. Paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 were approved by the Committee.
It was proposed by Ms M Gildernew, seconded by Mr E ONeill, that paragraph 4 be approved, as drafted, subject to the omission of the third of the four sentences.
It was proposed by Mr B Hutchinson, seconded by Mr M Robinson, that only the first and second sentences of paragraph 4 be included.
The proposal 'that only the first and second sentences of paragraph 4 be included' was put to the Committee.
The Committee divided Ayes 3, Noes 5
The proposal 'that paragraph 4 be approved, as drafted, subject to the omission of the third of the four sentences.
The Committee divided Ayes 5, Noes 3
3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make Statutory Rules in respect of the following-
The Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
Public Session
4. TUPE
The Committee noted the letter from Dr Esmond Birnie, dated 29 November 2001, and the letter from the Social Development Minister, dated 8 January 2002.
The Clerk was asked to commission further research about the possible effects on occupational pensions for those in the public sector, who were not employed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service or the Home Civil Service.
5. Pensions Simplification
The Committee noted the letter from the Social Security Policy and Legislation Division, dated 21 November 2001, the Research Paper, dated 21 December 2001 about Pensions Simplification.
The Committee agreed the terms of the proposed reply.
6. Departmental Report on Progress for Period Ending 30 September 2001
Following a detailed analysis of the Report, Members agreed the Clerk should respond to the Department on behalf of the Committee.
Mr J Tierney left the meeting at 3.28 p.m.
Mr J Tierney joined the meeting at 3.37 p.m.
7. Caravan Sites for Members of The Irish Traveller Community
The Committee noted the Paper concerning Caravan Sites for Members of The Irish Traveller Community and agreed that this item be raised with Departmental Officials in relation to the proposed Housing Bill.
Private Session
8. Homelessness
Members noted the letter from the Minister, dated 8 January, indicating the Department will not be making a submission to the Committee's Inquiry into Homelessness. The Clerk confirmed that Members would be issued with copies of the written submissions which had been received in relation to the Homelessness Inquiry. Members undertook to consider the submissions in order to make decisions on 24 January about those organisations to be called to give oral evidence.
Mr S Wilson left the meeting at 3.47 p.m.
Mr B Hutchinson left the meeting at 3.47 p.m.
9. Any Other Business
Association of Independent Advice Centres (NI)
The Committee noted the Paper on the Social Security Fraud Act (NI) 2001, from the Association of Independent Advice Centres (NI).
Bids for Additional Resources: December Monitoring 2001 -2002
Members noted the Paper from the Department, dated 10 January, concerning Bids for Additional Resources and the Clerk was asked to write to the Department concerning the omission of bids for Fuel Poverty and Adaptations to Existing Houses.
Urban Regeneration
The Committee noted papers on Urban Regeneration and the Clerk was asked to issue a response to the Department's consultation paper on Urban Renewal based on the contents of these papers. Members noted that the Department was scheduled to make a presentation to the Committee on Thursday 31 January.
Employment Bill
The Chairman confirmed that Departmental Officials were scheduled to make a presentation to the Committee on Thursday 24 January.
Forward Programme of Business
Members noted the Forward Programme of Business and the need for additional weekly meetings to take oral evidence for the Homelessness Inquiry.
Static Holiday Caravans
The Committee noted the Paper regarding Static Holiday Caravans and agreed this issue should be put to Departmental Officials during their presentation to the Committee concerning the Housing Bill, scheduled for Thursday 24 January.
Campaign for Housing for Disabled Children
The Deputy Chairperson referred to a request she had received about disabled facilities grants for adaptations to dwellings. Members agreed to defer consideration for two weeks.
10. Date of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 24 January in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
MR F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
JANUARY 2002
10 January 2002 / Menu / 24 January 2002