THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2001 IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

In Attendance:   Mr S Graham   Mr K Barker   Mr L Hart   Ms V Surplus

Apologies:   Mr M Robinson

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.05pm.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

The Committee noted the Minister's response to the Committee's concerns over the DEES II Scheme and agreed to accept the Department's proposals for making a Statutory Rule to implement the Scheme. Although approving the proposal, the Committee also wished to have it noted that it still had reservations over the restrictions within the Scheme in terms of the amounts being made available and the targeting of selected groups. The Committee has agreed to monitor the uptake of the Scheme and to review its progress at the end of its first year.

The Committee noted that in order to meet the Department's deadline of 9 February for a response regarding the Public Service Agreement, Hansard is to be regarded as the Committee's initial view. The Committee agreed to await the Department's response before considering further action.

The Committee was advised that the press release and letters to consultees relating to the first two components of the Committee's inquiry into proposals for the proposed Housing Bill had been issued on 15 February and that the researchers had begun work.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following -The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.

The Committee agreed that they wished to consider the following Statutory Rule - The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001- in more depth and asked the Clerk to arrange for Departmental officials to be in attendance at the next meeting scheduled for 22 February.

The Committee agreed to further consider the issue of 'parity' with regards to Statutory Rules taking into account the position in Scotland and Wales with a view to reporting to the Assembly at some future date.

Public Session

4. Urban Regeneration

DSD Officials: Mr Jeremy Harbison   Mr George Mackey

The Chairman welcomed the representatives to the meeting at 2.35pm after which the representatives made their presentation. A summary of their presentation was circulated to the Members. There followed a question-and answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left at 3.50pm.

Private Session

5. Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2000-2001

The Committee noted the contents of the paper and agreed no further action was required.

6. Any Other Business

The Committee noted the arrangements for the forthcoming visit to L/Derry and expressed gratitude to local MLA's Mr J Tierney, Mr W Hay and Ms M Nellis for their assistance in the development of the programme.

The Committee agreed that it next planned to visit the west of the Region and that it should be arranged for 22/23 March 2001 and that the Deputy Chairperson would liaise with the Clerk regarding the detailed arrangements.

The Committee agreed to invite British Telecom to make a presentation with regards to their 'In contact Plus Proposal' at a reception in the Long Gallery. The Committee further agreed to invite 'Help the Aged' to this reception which would be co-sponsored by Ms M Gildernew and Sir J Gorman.

The Committee agreed to take no further action on a further BT proposal to present to the Committee on it's public sector projects.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 22 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

February 2001