THURSDAY 3 MAY 2001 AT 2.00PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:   Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Sir John Gorman   Mr T Hamilton   Mr B Hutchinson   Mr G Kelly   Mr D O'Connor   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:   Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Cobain took the chair at 2.10pm.

Public Session

1. Customer Service and Welfare Reform and Modernisation within the Social Security Agency/One Pilot Initiative

Those in attendance: Chris Thompson - SSA Chief Executive   Mickey Kelly - SSA   Bernie O'Hare - T&EA

The Chairman welcomed the representatives to the meeting at 2.12pm 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 2.55pm.

Private Session

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the meetings of 26 April and 1 May were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposals outlined for Statutory Rules in respect of the following - The Discretionary Financial Assistance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals and Discretionary Financial Assistance) (Consequential Amendments and Repeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) (Transitional and Savings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and The Housing Renovation etc Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001(subject to the Examiners Report).

5. Subordinate Legislation - Motions

The Committee passed the following motion:

"The Social Development Committee has considered SR 2001 No. 151 - The Social Security (New Deal Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 152 - The Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 NO. 157 - The Social Security (Capital Disregards Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, - SR 2001 No. 165 - Street Trading (Fixed Penalty) (Notice and Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 166 - Street Trading (Form of Licence) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, SR 2001 No. 175 - The Social Security (Claims and Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and SR 2001 No. 176 - The Social Security (Work-focused Interviews) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - and has no objections to the Rules."

6. Any Other Business

The Committee noted the content of the letter, tabled by the Clerk, in relation to the Executive Task Forces to combat unemployment and poverty in West Belfast and agreed to review its progress after 6 months.

The Committee noted the request, tabled by the Clerk, from Groundwork Northern Ireland to make a presentation to the Committee. The Committee agreed to invite Groundwork Northern Ireland to attend one of the oral evidence sessions in relation to the Committee's Inquiry into Urban Regeneration and Community Development.

The Committee noted the content of a letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Committee of the Centre in relation to the Proposed Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order NI 2001.

The Committee noted the content of a letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Minister of Finance and Personnel in relation to Consultation on Departmental Budgets. The Committee agreed that the clerk should write to the Department for Social Development and the Minister of Finance and Personnel restating the Committee's concerns with regards to this matter.

The Committee noted the content of the letter, tabled by the Clerk, from the Chair of the Education Committee in relation to the Funding of After School Projects. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should forward the letter to the Department for Social Development indicating the Committee's support for the role of such projects in delivering effective regeneration and the importance of mainstreaming pilot projects.

7. Housing Inquiry - Oral Evidence

The Committee noted the content of further papers in relation to the Housing Inquiry containing further submissions, a further synopsis and a revised timetable. The Committee agreed to consider their content in advance of the oral evidence session scheduled for Tuesday 8 May.

Public Session

Mr Hutchinson declared his interest as a member of Filor Housing Association.

Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland

The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland to the meeting at 3.25pm.

In attendance:   Mr Kieran Walsh   Mr John Perry   Ms Janet Hunter   Mr John Gartland

The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left the meeting at 4.00pm.

The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

The Chairman welcomed the representatives of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations to the meeting at 4.05pm.

In attendance:   Ms Jean Fulton   Mr Chris Williamson   Mr Gerry Kelly   Mr Graham Merton

The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence. The Chairman thanked the representatives and they left the meeting at 4.20pm.

8.Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 12.00pm on Tuesday 08 May 2001 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

MAY 2001.