TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr E ONeill   Mr T Hamilton   Mr J Tierney   Mr B Hutchinson   Mr M Robinson   Mr D O'Connor

Apologies: Mr F Cobain (Chairman)   Ms M Gildernew (Deputy Chairperson)   Sir J Gorman   Mr S Wilson

In Attendance: Mr S Graham   Mr L McLernon   Mrs Janette Anderson

The Committee Clerk took the Chair at 02.15 p.m. and called for a Member to speak.

Mr B Hutchinson moved "That Mr E ONeill do take the Chair of the Committee"

The Clerk asked for a seconder to the motion.

Mr J Tierney seconded the proposal.

The Clerk asked for any other nominations. There were no other nominations.

The Clerk put to the Members "The question is that Mr E ONeill takes the Chair". The Committee agreed the question.

Mr E ONeill took the Chair at 2.16 p.m.

Private Session

1. Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Research Paper.

The Chairman welcomed Alison Montgomery, Senior Researcher who presented an outline Research Paper which identified three themes, namely, Social, Legal and Financial which will form the basis of the Research document to be provided to the Committee in relation to its Inquiry. Members noted the paper and agreed the proposed format.

Mr M Robinson joined the meeting at 2.26 p.m.

Public Session

2. Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Oral Evidence By Children's Law Centre

The Chairman welcomed the members of Children's Law Centre to the meeting at 2.27 p.m.

In attendance:

Mr Liam Mackle - Advice Line Co-ordinator   Mrs Sandra McNamee - Training and Education Officer   Miss Carragh McAreavy - Student Placement

Mr Mackle made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed.

The Chairman requested that the Children's Law Centre submit a supplementary written submission concerning a number of areas highlighted in the discussions.

The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

The Chairman thanked the members of the Children's Law Centre and they left at 3.03 p.m.

3. Housing Inquiry (Homelessness) Oral Evidence By S & E Belfast HSS Trust / Emergency Out Of Hours Service

The Chairman welcomed the members of S & E Belfast HSS Trust / Emergency Out Of Hours Service to the meeting at 3.03 p.m.

In attendance:   Mrs Jane Barry - Manager of Emergency Out Of Hours Service   Mr Philip O'Hara - Principal Social Worker North & West Trust

Mrs Barry made a presentation to the Committee and a question and answer session followed. The discussions are recorded separately in verbatim minutes of evidence.

The Chairman thanked the members of the S & E Belfast HSS Trust / Emergency Out Of Hours Service and they left at 3.24 p.m.

Private Session

4. Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 7 February in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

MR E ONEILL

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN  

FEBRUARY 2002