THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson)   Mr E ONeill   Mr J Tierney   Mr M Robinson

Apologies: Sir J Gorman   Ms M Gildernew   Mr T Hamilton   Mr D O'Connor

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

Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.56 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 April.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Forward Plan of Business

The Committee noted the Forward Plan of Business.

3. Matters Arising

Government Office Accommodation Review

Members agreed the terms of the draft response, tabled.

4. Subordinate Legislation

Proposal

The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

The Committee considered the written explanation concerning this Proposal, dated 16 April and provided by the Department.

The Clerk was asked to arrange for an official from the Department to clarify the terms of the Proposal at the Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 22 April.

Motion

The Committee passed the following Motion subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule's Report: "The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rule:

SR 2002 No.132 - The Social Security (Amendment) (Residential Care and Nursing Homes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

And has no objection to the Rule."

Public Session

5. Spending Review 2002 / Budget 2002

The Chairman welcomed the following Officials to the meeting at 3.02 p.m.

DSD Officials Mr John Hunter   Mr Derek Baker   Mr Michael Sands   Mr Cliff Radcliffe

Mr Hunter made a presentation to the Committee. There followed a question and answer session, which is summarised at Annex A.

The Clerk was asked to draft a response for consideration by the Committee.

6. Draft DSD Service Delivery Agreement 2002/2003

The DSD Officials made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed, which is summarised at Annex B.

The Chairman undertook to write to the Department on a number of issues.

7. Executive Programme Funds: Infrastructure Fund

The DSD Officials made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed, which is summarised at Annex C.

The Chairman undertook to write to the Minister and the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel about the lack of timely consultation on the bids.

The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left at 4.16 p.m.

Due to the prospective loss of quorum, Members agreed to reconvene the meeting at 12.30 p.m on Monday 22 April to complete the business before the Committee.

The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.

8. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 12.30 p.m. on Monday 22 April in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

Mr F COBAIN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

April 2002