THURSDAY 16 MAY 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Sir J Gorman   Mr B Hutchinson   Mr M Robinson   Mr S Wilson   Mr D O'Connor

Apologies:   Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson)   Ms M Gildernew   Mr E ONeill   Mr J Tierney

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

Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.34 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the meeting held on the 9 May.    

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Forward Plan of Business    

The Committee noted the updated Forward Plan of Business.

3. Subordinate Legislation - Proposals    

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make Statutory Rule in respect of the following:-

The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

The Income Support (General) and Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

The Occupational Pension Schemes (Member-Nominated trustees and Directors) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Occupational Pension Schemes (Preservation of Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Pensions Ombudsman) (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules ((Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

Mr D O'Connor joined the meeting at 2.40 p.m.

4. First Report by Public Sector Energy Committee    

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister of Finance and Personal, dated 2 May, and the PSEC First Report which sets out the overall position for 1999/2000 on energy consumption and cost, and the emission of carbon dioxide from public buildings

The Clerk was asked to request the Department to provide further detail in respect of the costs listed in the Report concerning DSD.

5. First Reading of the Homelessness Report

The first reading of the Homelessness was deferred.

6. Any Other Business

Consultations on Executive Programme Funds Bids    

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 10 May, which outlined the difficulties, faced by the Departments, arising from the deadlines imposed.

Response from the Minister of Finance and Personnel regarding Executive Programme Funds - Infrastructure bids.    

Members also noted the letter from the Chairman Committee for Finance and Personnel, dated 15 May, and the letter from Dr Sean Farren to Mr Molly, dated 10 May.

Reinvestment and Reform Initiative and Executive Programme Funds: Bidding Guidance

The Committee considered the letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel, dated 14 May, and raised concerns regarding the timescales involved for bids to be made concerning RRI and EPF funding.

The Chairman undertook to write to the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee expressing concern about the short notice in relation to bids for RRI and to the Minster for Social Development about bids for EPF's.

Draft Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) 2002/2003 - Follow -up to 18 April meeting    

The Committee considered the letter from the Department, dated 13 May, and agreed to defer the areas of:

2002 Customer Satisfaction Survey

Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefits

Fuel Poverty

for discussion at the Committee meeting scheduled for 23 May.

Members noted the information relating to the 'Balance between uptake of benefits and tackling fraud'.

The Committee discussed the Interim Report Evaluation of the ONE Pilot with specific reference to the Reports conclusions and recommendations.

The Clerk was asked to arrange for the Department to present to the Committee on the findings in the Report and to inform the Employment and Learning Committee of Members' concerns.

Members discussed the Pension Credit Milestone Plan and agreed the terms of the draft reply to the Department.

Informal Meeting request from NIHE Omagh District Office    

The Committee noted the request for an informal meeting with members from the NIHE Omagh District Office.

The Clerk was asked to liase with the group and agree a date, time and location. Members would attend if business permitted.

Department Press Release    

The Committee noted the Department's Press Release concerning the success of the Warm Homes Scheme.

7. Date of Next Meeting    

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 23 May in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.

Mr F Cobain

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

May 2002