THURSDAY 17 MAY 2001 AT 2.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain(Chairman)   Sir John Gorman   Mr T Hamilton   Mr G Kelly   Mr E ONeill   Mr J Tierney   Mr S Wilson

In Attendance:   Mr D Martin   Mr K Barker   Mr L Hart   Ms V Surplus

Apologies:   Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson),   Mr D O'Connor,   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, after discussion, agreed to meet on Monday 21 May at 1.00pm when Mr Paddy Gray the Specialist Adviser in relation to the Housing Inquiry will outline his initial views on key issues relating to the inquiry.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for a Statutory Rule in respect of the following - The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment No.4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001(subject to the Examiners Report).

4. Social Security Fraud Bill

Those in attendance:-   Maurice Morrow - Minister for Social Development   Mr John ONeill   Mr David McCurry

The Chairman welcomed the Minister and representatives to the meeting at 2.15pm after which the Minister made an initial statement. There followed a question-and answer session, which is summarised in Annex A. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left at 3.30pm.

Public Session

5. Memorandum on the Proposed Housing Bill

The Committee noted the content of the draft memorandum of the Housing Bill and agreed that the Committee should complete its report on Housing and then ask officials to attend a meeting before the summer recess to discuss the memorandum.

6. Supporting People in Northern Ireland

The Committee noted the content of the consultation paper and agreed that the Clerk should commission research and draft a response for consideration at the meeting scheduled for 14 June.

Private Session

7. Any Other Business

The Committee noted the Confirmatory Statutory Rules being moved by the Minister for Social Development on 21 May.

The Committee noted the content of the letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Minister for Regional Development to the Chairman of the Regional Development Committee in relation to the draft regional development strategy. The Committee agreed that the

Clerk should draft a letter to the Minister for Regional Development, for consideration at its next meeting, expressing concern about whether some of the Committee's concerns in relation to the draft regional development strategy have been satisfactorily addressed. It was further agreed that the Minister should specifically be asked to clarify his views on "brownfield" development targets.

The Committee noted the invite from the Minister for Social Development to a reception in the Long Gallery on Wednesday 23 May launching the Department's new A-Z Guide of Public Service for Pensioners.

8. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 1.00pm on Monday 21 May 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN  

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

MAY 2001