THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2000 AT 2.00 P.M. IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson) Sir J Gorman Mr B Hutchinson Mr D McClarty Mr E ONeill Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson

Apologies: Mr G Kelly

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

Mr F Cobain took the Chair at 2.04 p.m.

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

Agreed:

The Committee was content with the Department's proposals for Statutory Rules in respect of Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and the Social Security and Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.

4. Cuts in N.I. Housing Executive Expenditure

A. Presentation by the N.I. Housing Executive

Panel Members: Mr Paddy McIntyre, Chief Executive Mr Colm McCaughley, Director of Client Services Mr John Wilson, Assistant Director of Finance

The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 2.22 p.m. Mr McIntyre first spoke to a briefing paper that had been copied to the Committee, and this was followed by a question-and-answer session. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the panel and they left the meeting at 3.25 p.m.

[Mr Robinson and Mr ONeill left the meeting at 3.02 p.m. and 3.07 p.m. respectively.]

B. Presentation by Department of Social Development Officials

Panel Members: Mr Cliff Radcliffe, Deputy Secretary Mr David Crothers, Housing Branch Mr Michael Sands, Housing Finance Branch

The Chairman welcomed the panel to the meeting at 3.30 p.m. Mr Radcliffe gave a brief presentation, which was followed by a question-and-answer session. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the panel, and they left the meeting at 4.40 p.m.

[Mr McClarty and Mr Wilson left the meeting at 3.50 p.m. and 4.22 p.m. respectively.]

5. Future Work Programme

The following provisional work programme was agreed:

Thursday 15 June Departmental briefing on Belfast City Centre Retail Schemes (Private Meeting)

Thursday 22 June Visit to the Child Support Agency

Thursday 29 June Urban (EU) Programme II (Public Meeting)

Thursday 6 July Departmental Briefing on Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill (Public Meeting)

6. AOB    

1. Agreed:Following an offer by the N.I. Federation of Housing Associations to make a presentation to the Committee, a slot will be arranged to coincide with the Committee's deliberations on the Housing Bill later in the year.
2. Agreed: The Committee will sponsor a presentation by the Breakthru Project (which deals with cocaine awareness) in Parliament Buildings.
3. Agreed:Following a request from Cherton Enterprise Ltd to make a presentation on its proposed retail development for Belfast city centre, the Clerk will invite all four developers who have made bids to submit details of their proposals to the Committee in writing.
4. Agreed: The Chairman will write a letter of concern to the Office of the First and deputy First Minister with regard to the cuts in the Housing Executive's budget for this year.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee will meet next at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 15 June in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting ended at 4.45 p.m.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN