HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: MONDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2001 ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Dr Esmond Birnie (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Carrick (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Joe Byrne
Ms Joan Carson
Mr John Dallat
Mr William Hay
Mr John Kelly
Ms Monica McWilliams
Ms Mary Nelis

In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples (Committee Clerk)
Mr Colin Jones (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan
Professor Bob Osborne (Special Adviser)

Apologies: None

Meeting opened at 1.15pm in closed session.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Briefing from Professor Bob Osborne

Professor Osborne attended the meeting in his capacity as Special Adviser to the Committee on Student Finance. Members agreed that their discussion with the Minister should focus on the broad principles of his proposals, leaving exploration of the finer detail to a further meeting following the completion of the Department of Finance and Personnel's (DFP) economic appraisal.

1.55 pm. The meeting continued in open session.
2.00 pm Mr Dallat joined the meeting
2.30 pm Mr Carrick joined the meeting

3. Briefing from the Minister, Dr Seán Farren, and senior officials

The areas of broad agreement between the Minister and the Committee on the way forward for Student Finance proposals were identified as:

  • the introduction of access bursaries;

  • increased university places; and

  • the streamlining of procedures for the administration of student loans.

The Committee identified the following areas of particular concern which required further clarification and more detail on the potential impact of the Minister's proposals:

  • what percentage of students will be exempt from paying Tuition Fees?

  • what will be the impact of Access Bursaries?

  • the effectiveness of the proposals for Childcare grants?

  • is there scope to further increase the number of university places?

  • what effect would the abolition of FE fees in certain skill areas have?

  • do the Minister's proposals adequately address the shortfall in access to Higher Education by the lowest socio-economic groups?

  • the potential additional administrative burden of the various elements of the Student Finance package.

It was agreed that the Minister should return to update members on the outcome of his negotiations with DFP and their economic appraisal.

2.35 pm. Mr Hay left the meeting
2.35 pm. Mr Byrne left the meeting
2.55 pm. Mrs Carson left the meeting
3.07 pm. Mr Kelly left the meeting

4. Any Other Business

Members agreed that the Chairperson should issue a press release after the meeting.

Action: Clerk

5. Date and time of next meeting.

The next meeting of the Committee is to be held on Thursday 8 February 2001 at 2pm in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.18pm.

Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee

8 February 2001