Thursday 13 September 2001 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

With the agreement of Members, the meeting was rescheduled to commence at 3.15p.m., following the Assembly Plenary sitting.

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson) Mr T Hamilton Mr J Tierney Mr S Wilson Mr G Kelly Mr B Hutchinson Mr D O'Connor

Apologies: Mr E ONeill, Sir John Gorman

In Attendance: Mr S Graham Mr L McLernon Miss F Douglas

Mr Cobain took the chair at 3.27 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the Committee Meeting of 6 September 2001

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Social Security Fraud Bill

The Chairman reminded the members that arrangements have been made for a final reading of the Committee's Report at a meeting to be held in Room 152, at 12.30p.m. on Tuesday 18 September 2001.

Housing Inquiry - Committee's Report

The Chairman confirmed that no further comments had been received from the Members in relation to Large Scale Voluntary Transfer. In the circumstances, the Committee instructed that the Clerk should complete drafting of the Committee's report and make arrangements for it to be considered at a special meeting.

Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland - Consultation Document

The Committee noted that an extension to the 1 October 2001 deadline had been requested from the Department.

Ms M Gildernew joined the meeting at 3.31 p.m.   Mr G Kelly joined the meeting at 3.31p.m.   Mr J Tierney joined the meeting at 3.33 p.m.

NIHE Consultation Paper on House Sales

The Chairman referred the Committee to the Housing Executive News Release and invited comments from the Members. After a brief discussion, the Committee asked that officials from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive be invited to make a short presentation to the Committee in relation to its Consultation Paper on House Sales.

Dungannon Visit

The Committee noted that the Department had been invited to develop a visit programme for its consideration.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Motion

The Committee passed the following Motion:

'The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rule;

SR 2001 No 308 - The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Maternity Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001,

and has no objection to the Rule.'

4. Laganside Corporation: Quinquennial Review

The Committee noted the letter of 4 September 2001 from the Minister and agreed that the Chairman should write to the Minister to express concern about public accountability aspects of the Corporation.

5. Any Other Business

Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland

A copy of the summary document published by NISRA, in June 2001, was provided to the Members. Members agreed that it should be tabled for discussion at the Committee meeting scheduled for the 20 September 2001.

Confirmatory Motion

The Chairman advised the Members that Statutory Rule No: 2001 / 213 The Housing Benefit (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, which was presented to the Committee as a proposal on the 14 June 2001, will the subject of a Confirmatory motion in the Assembly on Monday 17 September 2001.

N.I. Region of the National Federation of Sub- Postmasters

The Chairman referred the Members to a letter, dated 11 September 2001, from Mr Tom Graham N.I. Regional President, National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, requesting a meeting with the Committee. The Committee agreed that, as a first step, the Clerk should write to the Department seeking comments on the correspondence.

6. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday 18 September 2001 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

MR F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

SEPTEMBER 2001