TUESDAY 25 JANUARY 2000 AT 12.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Mr B Hutchinson Mr D O'Connor Mr E ONeill Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson

Apologies: Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson) Sir John Gorman Mr G Kelly Mr D McClarty

In Attendance: Mr G Martin Mr L Hart Mr D Harkin Ms V Surplus

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

3. Subordinate Legislation

i. Agreed:

The Committee was content with the Department's three proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of Income-Related Benefits, Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

ii. Question put and agreed to:

That the Social Development Committee has considered Statutory Rules 1999 No. 499 and No. 500 -The Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and The Income Support (General) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 -and has no objection to the Rules.

The Clerk will report immediately the Committee's consideration of the two above-mentioned Rules to the Business Office for inclusion in the Assembly's minutes of proceedings.

4. Deliberation on Housing Issues

Agreed: The Committee will use its additional weekly Tuesday meetings to examine the following six housing areas that the Department is likely to refer to it over the next three months:

• NIHE Rent Review 2000/2001 and Housing Budget-Consultation-February/March
• Roles of DSD, NIHE and Housing Associations-Consultation-February/March
• Social Housing Heating Policies and Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme-Consultation-February/March
• Remedying Unfit Housing-Consultation-February/March
• Housing Renovation Grants Regulations-Legislation-February/March
• Association for Minor Works to Dwelling's Regulation-Legislation-February/March

During a wide-ranging discussion on housing issues, the Committee also identified the following areas for its forthcoming programme of work:

• Funding:

Agreed: The Clerk will arrange for officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel to explain to the Committee the capital receipts formula for each Department, with particular reference to the distribution of revenue from HE house sales.

• Home Adaptations (including the HE's m£20 related expenditure last year) and the assessment role of Occupational Therapists.

• Housing Selection Scheme

Agreed: The Clerk will pursue with the NIHE the current position regarding the proposals for a common Housing Selection Scheme, and if and when these are expected to come to the Assembly for consideration.

• Regulation of Multiple Occupancy Housing

• Rent Increases for 2001/2002

5. AOB    

1. The Clerk will obtain a breakdown of each of the 26 District Councils' Community Services funding last year in terms of contributions from the International Fund for Ireland, European funds and Government payments.
2. The Committee's meeting with the Minister to discuss the Departmental budget on Thursday 27 January will be held in public.
3. The Clerk will provide Members with copies of the Compact document at this Thursday's meeting in advance of its being discussed at the Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 1 February.

6. The Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee will meet next at 2.00 PM on Thursday 27 January in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN  

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN