MONDAY 21 MAY 2001 AT 1.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:   Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Sir John Gorman   Mr B Hutchinson   Mr E ONeill   Mr M Robinson   Mr J Tierney   Mr S Wilson

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

Apologies: None

Mr Cobain took the chair at 1.06pm.

Private Session

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 - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and The Social Security (Volunteers Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - (subject to the Examiners Report).

4. Subordinate Legislation - Motions

The Committee passed the following motion:

"The Social Development Committee has considered SR 2001 No. 197 - The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objections to the Rule."

5. Housing Inquiry

(i) Paper from Assembly Research Department on the DETR Consultation Paper "Private Sector Housing Renewal"

The Committee noted the research papers tabled in relation to the DETR Consultation Paper "Private Sector Housing Renewal".

(ii) Discussion with Paddy Gray, Specialist Adviser to the Housing Inquiry

Those in attendance: Mr Paddy Gray - Senior Lecturer in Housing - University of Ulster

The Chairman welcomed Mr Gray to the meeting at 1.10pm after which Mr Gray made a presentation of his initial thoughts in relation to the Housing Inquiry a copy of which was circulated to the members. The Chairman thanked Mr Gray and he left at 2.05pm.

6. Budget - 2001/02 Main Estimates and 2002/03 Departmental Bids - Proposed Changes To Financial and Timetable

The Committee noted the content of a paper, drafted by the Clerk, and agreed that the concerns of the Committee should be relayed to the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee. The Committee further agreed that this issue should be considered by the Chairperson's Liaison Group and that officials should be requested to make a presentation on the Departmental Bids 2002/2003 before the summer recess.

7. Any Other Business

The Committee noted the content of the response, drafted by the Clerk, to the Minister for Regional Development, through the Chair of the Regional Development Committee, in relation to the Draft Regional Development Strategy and agreed that it should be issued.

The Committee noted the invitation from Patricia Lewsley MLA to an event in the Long Gallery on Thursday 24 May regarding 'Wider Thinking on Childcare in Government'.

8. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00pm on Thursday 14 June 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The Committee further undertook to meet on Thursday 21 June and agreed to meet on Tuesday 19 June, if required.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

MAY 2001