THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Mr M Robinson   Mr S Wilson   Mr E ONeill   Mr B Hutchinson   Ms M Nelis

Apologies: Mr G Kelly   Mr J Tierney   Mr T Hamilton   Mr D O'Connor   Sir J Gorman

In Attendance: Mr S Graham   Miss K Kelly   Ms J Neill   Mr S Farrell

Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.12 p.m.

Public Session

The Committee agreed to invite the Minister to make his case for accelerated passage for the Social Security Bill and the State Pension Credit Bill in advance of dealing with the other items of business on the agenda.

1. Social Security Bill and State Pension Credit Bill

The Chairman welcomed the following to the meeting at 2.25pm.

Mr Nigel Dodds, Minister for Social Development   Ms Margaret Sisk, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division   Ms Doreen Roy, Social Security Policy and Legislation Division

The Minister gave a presentation on the proposal for accelerated passage for the Social Security Bill and the State Pension Credit Bill.

Mr B Hutchinson joined the meeting at 2.16pm

The question and answer session is summarised at Annex A.

The Minister assured Members that the Department would, in future, give the Committee early notification and regular briefings on GB legislation originating in Westminster and which might require to be replicated in Northern Ireland.

The Chairman thanked the Minister and officials and they left at 2.46pm.

In light of the presentation by the Minister, the Committee agreed not to object to proposals, in plenary, seeking accelerated passage for both Bills.

Members resolved that it would be useful to have further and separated discussions about the Committee's position on parity and associated issues at a later date.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 2 July.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

3. The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

The Committee noted the letter from John O'Neill, dated 5 August, concerning the issue of benefits being paid into bank accounts.

The Clerk was asked to make arrangements for a presentation by Mr O'Neill to address Committee concerns.

4. OPRA

The Committee noted the Research paper on the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA).

5. Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations

The Committee considered the letter, dated 5 August, from OFMDFM and DFP and a letter from the Minister for Social Development, dated 28 August, on the Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations (NEEs). Members agreed to defer discussion on the Needs and Effectiveness Evaluations to a later date and the Clerk was asked to ensure that all available papers on NEEs were available to Members. The Clerk was also asked to arrange for Officials from DSD to attend the meeting at which NEEs would be discussed.

7. House Sales Scheme

The Committee noted the letter from George W Davidson, Housing Management Branch, on the Housing Executive's House Sales Scheme.

8. Forward Plan of Business

The Committee considered the revised Forward Plan of Business.

The Chairman asked Members to note that the Committee will be holding additional meetings on Tuesdays in order to facilitate scrutiny of the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill.

9. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 5 September in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.

Mr F Cobain

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

AUGUST 2002