THURSDAY 16 DECEMBER 1999 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson) Sir J Gorman Mr B Hutchinson Mr G Kelly Mr D McClarty Mr D O'Connor Mr E ONeill Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson
Apologies: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)
In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr D Harkin Ms V Surplus Mr L Hart
Ms M Gildernew took the Chair.
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
- The Clerk has advised the Permanent Secretary of the Committee's concern that it be given sufficient advance notice of draft legislation to allow it to fulfil its scrutinising function effectively.
- The Clerk has written to the Examiner of Statutory Rules regarding the handling of subordinate legislation.
- The Clerk has written to the Clerk of the Assembly Commission regarding the staffing in the office of the Examiner of Statutory Rules. The Speaker has identified an additional member of staff for this work.
- The Clerk has spoken to Departmental officials about the transfer of the regulation of Housing Associations and the private rented sector from the Department to the Housing Executive. The Minister has taken a particular interest in this matter and would like time to consider it within the wider context of public housing provision.
- The Statistics and Research Agency has produced a short paper for the Committee on the Robson and Townsend measures of relative deprivation.
- The Clerk has obtained copies of the Housing Executive's recent rural housing policy document.
- The Green Paper on social housing due out in the spring relates solely to England, though its content may inform the devolved Administrations own proposals in this area.
3. Presentation by the Permanent Secretary and Senior Officials
The following panel joined the meeting at 2.15 PM and gave the Committee a comprehensive briefing on the remit of the new Department and its emerging issues:
Mr J Hunter, Permanent Secretary Dr J Harbison, Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group Mr J O'Neill, Social Security Policy & Legislation Mr G Davidson, Housing Management Branch
There followed a question-and-answer session.
The panel, excepting Mr O'Neill, left the meeting at 3.40 PM.
4. Proposals for Statutory Rules
The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.45 PM to answer questions on seven proposals for Statutory Rules all relating to social security benefits.
Mr J O'Neill, Director Social Security Policy & Legislation Division Mr S Carson, Principal Officer Mrs E Tinnelly, Deputy Principal
The officials acknowledged the accepted criticism of "going rental rates for particular areas" regardless of the deplorable standards of some housing. This problem is being examined with a view to simplifying the system and reducing the mushrooming expenditure.
Mr O'Neill explained the proposals for increased benefit sanctions against the small but persistent number of unemployed who refuse to take up offers of work or training. The question of whether "good cause" has been shown will be considered in each such case.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's seven proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of Housing Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Social Fund and Income Support.
The Chairperson thanked the officials, and they left the meeting at 4.05 PM.
5. Future Work Programme
Confirmed:
Thursday 13 January 2000 - Visit to Laganside Corporation. The Clerk will write to members regarding details.
Thursday 20 January 2000 - Presentation by the Housing Executive.
Thursday 27 January 2000 - Presentation by Mr Chris Thompson, Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency.
Thursday 3 February 2000 - Presentation by Mr Gerry Keenan, Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency.
Agreed: In the interests of transparency, the three above-mentioned presentations will be made open to the public. The Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.
6. AOB
Agreed: Dependent on future workloads, the Committee will consider meeting in addition to the scheduled weekly slot.
7. Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will meet
next on Thursday 13 January 2000 at the offices of Laganside Corporation. Time to be arranged.
MS M GILDERNEW
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
