THURSDAY 23 MAY 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)     Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson)     Mr B Hutchinson     Mr M Robinson     Mr S Wilson

Apologies: Ms M Gildernew   Sir J Gorman   Mr E ONeill   Mr J Tierney   Mr T Hamilton

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

Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.15 p.m.

Private Session

1. Minutes of the meeting held on the 16 May.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

2. Forward Plan of Business

The Clerk advised the Committee of a number of changes to the Plan.

3. Matters Arising

Informal Meeting request from NIHE Omagh District Office

Members noted the request for a 30 - 40 minute informal session between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday 12 June to gain an overview on the work of the Committee. The meeting will take place in Room 152, Parliament Buildings and Members agreed, in principle, to attend.

Public Session

4. 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 discussed the three areas of :

2001 Customer Satisfaction Survey   Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit   Fuel Poverty

The Clerk was asked to request from the Department detailed information concerning the targets set, current achievement and forecasted achievement in these three areas.

5. Report on Access to Benefits

The Committee noted the report.

6. The Way Forward on Housing Finance: The New Approach.

The Committee decided to defer this topic until 30 May and the Clerk was asked to arrange for a representative from the Research and Library Service to be present.

7. Essential Skills for Learning

The Committee decided to defer this topic until 30 May and the Clerk was asked to arrange for a representative from the Research and Library Service to be present.

Private Session

8. Any Other Business

Letter from the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, dated 13 May, in response to concerns raised with the Committee during oral evidence sessions of the Inquiry into Homelessness

Phoenix Natural Gas

Members noted the letter from Phoenix Natural Gas, dated 14 May and decided not to agree to a presentation.

Report on the Initial Consultation Exercise on the Single Equality Bill

Members noted the Report and the acknowledgement of the Committee's response.

Departmental Press Releases

The Committee noted Press Releases about Housing in North Belfast and the launch of the Voluntary and Community Unit.

First Reading of the Homelessness Report

Members agreed to begin the first reading of the Homelessness Report in closed session on Tuesday 28 May at 1.00 p.m.

9. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 1.00 p.m. on Tuesday 28 May in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.

Mr F Cobain

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

May 2002