Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr E ONeill
Mr J Tierney
Sir J Gorman
Mr M Robinson

Apologies: Ms M Gildernew

In Attendance: Mr S Graham
Miss K Kelly
Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the Chair at 12.46 p.m.

Private Session

1. Spending Review 2002, Service Delivery Agreement and Executive Programme Funds.

The Committee agreed the terms of the reply on the Spending Review, tabled.
Members noted the Chairman had written to the Department highlighting the Committees concern about some elements of the SDA and to the Minister and the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee about the lack of consultation on the bids for Executive Programme Funds.

2. Subordinate Legislation

Proposal

The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Chairman welcomed Mr John O'Neill to the meeting.

Mr John O'Neill presented on the details of the proposal.

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

The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 12.54 p.m.

3. Parity

The Committee agreed, subject to the omission of Annex the proposed submission to the Select Committee Inquiry.

Mr E ONeill left the meeting at 01.05 p.m.

4. Housing Inquiry (Homelessness)

The Committee agreed the format for the report.

5. Any Other Business

Northern Ireland Federation of Clubs

The Committee noted the letter from the Federation of Clubs, dated 12 March, and decided against a further meeting with the Federation. The Clerk was asked to write accordingly.

Postcomm

Members noted the letter from Postcomm, dated 4 April, and agreed that due to Plenary Business in the Assembly it would not be possible to arrange the meeting.

Case Funding Centre

The Committee noted the letter from the Case Funding Centre, dated 8 April 2002 and agreed it was a matter for the Finance and Personnel Committee in the first instance.

Draft Housing Bill

The Chairman referred the Committee to the letter from the Minister, dated 16 April, confirming the Department will provide copies of submissions to the Housing Bill consultation in early May.

Members agreed to attend a Bills Office seminar for to assist in their consideration of primary legislation.

Department Press Release

The Committee noted the Department Press Release about the Northern Ireland Social Fund, dated 18 April.

6. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 25 April in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.

Mr F COBAIN
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
April 2002

18 April 2002 / Menu / 25 April 2002