THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2002 AT 2.00 PM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr F Cobain (Chairman) Mr G Kelly (Deputy Chairperson) Sir J Gorman Mr B Hutchinson Ms M Nelis Mr D O'Connor Mr S Wilson
Apologies: Mr E ONeill Mr M Robinson Mr J Tierney
In Attendance: Mr S Graham Mr L McLernon Miss K Kelly Ms J Neill Mr S Farrell Ms A Montgomery
Mr Cobain took the Chair at 2.12 p.m.
Public Session
1. Minutes of the meeting held on the 29 August.
The minutes of the meeting were agreed.
2. Forward Plan of Business
The Committee noted the Forward Plan of Business and agreed, for the foreseeable future, that, in addition to meetings on Tuesdays, the first hour of each meeting on Thursdays be allocated to deal with the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill.
Members also noted the Motion seeking accelerated passage for the Social Security Bill had been scheduled for debate in the Assembly on Monday 9 September.
3. Matters Arising
Needs and Effectiveness Evaluation
The Committee discussed the Needs and Effectiveness Evaluation: Housing Programme Executive Summary Report and agreed Officials be asked to attend a Committee meeting in advance of the Budget statement planned for the 23 September. The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
4. Subordinate Legislation
Proposals
Agreed: The Committee was content with the Department's proposal to make Statutory Rules in respect of the following:-
The Social Security (Employment Programme Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Housing Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Social Security (Personal Injuries Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Social Security (Capital Disregards Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Committee noted that the Department had withdrawn the following Proposal:-
The Social Security (Detainees Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
Mr B Hutchinson joined the meeting at 2.18 p.m.
Motions
The Committee passed the following Motions subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules' Report:
"The Social Development Committee has considered the following Statutory Rules:
SR 2002 No. 222 - The Social Security (Students and Income Related Benefits Amendment) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 270 - The Social Security (Students and Income Related Benefits Amendment No.2)
Regulation (Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 268 - The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland)
2002
SR 2002 No. 267 - The Social Security (Personal Allowances for Children and Young Persons
Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 254 - The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No.2) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 247 - The Child Support (Temporary Compensation Payment Scheme) (Modification and
Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 236 - The Jobseeker's Allowance (Joint Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern
Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 243 - The Social Security (Intercalating Students Amendment) Regulations (Northern
Ireland) 2002
SR 2002 No. 237 - The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
and has no objection to the Rules"
5. Housing Bill & Housing Support Services Bill
The Committee considered a paper, presented by the Clerk, which outlined the recommended handling arrangements for the Committee stages of the Housing Support Services Bill and the Housing Bill.
Members agreed the proposed arrangements and that they would commence week beginning Monday 9 September. The Committee resolved to seek extensions to the Committee stages for both Bills and agreed the date of 13 December 2002 in each case.
6. NIHE Homelessness Strategy and Service Review
Members considered the letter from the Chief Executive of NIHE, dated 5 August, about the Homeless Strategy and Service Review Implementation Plan and noted a number of recommendations made by the Committee in its Report into Homelessness had also been addressed in the review.
7. Any Other Business
Social Security Claimants
The Committee considered papers regarding advice for Social Security Claimants. Members expressed concern about the apparent inadequacy of funding for the 'advice sector' and agreed that officials from the Department be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the matter further.
The Clerk was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.
DSD Revised New TSN Action Plan for 2002/2003
Members noted the Department's Revised Action Plan with particular reference to DSD 12 - To secure accommodation for homeless people and DSD 13 - To contribute to the supply of housing available to meet need.
Consultation Paper on the Licensing of Indoor Arenas
The Committee noted the letter from the Minister, dated 6 August 2002.
Look Up Belfast - International Built Heritage Conference 1-3 October
The Committee noted the invitation to the Look Up Belfast Conference and agreed that Members wishing to attend should advise the Clerk accordingly.
Use of E-mail for Circulation of Committee Documentation
Members indicated a desire to make greater use of electronic services in relation to the provision of papers for Committee meetings. The Clerk undertook to raise the matter with the Department in the first instance and to check the position within the Assembly.
8. Date of Next Meeting
The next Committee meeting will be at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday 10 September in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
Mr F Cobain
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SEPTEMBER 2002
