Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10.32am in public session.

Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 30th May 2007 and Matters Arising.

Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.

2.    Matters Arising.

Members noted the paper from Queen’s University and the University of Ulster entitled “ Northern Ireland’s Universities: Key Drivers of Wealth Creation and Future Economic Development”.

10.35am Mr McCausland joined the meeting

Members noted the proposed programme for the Committee’s visit to Queen’s University Belfast on 13th June 2007.

Agreed: Members noted and agreed the publication of a public notice in relation to the visit to Queen’s University.

The Clerk updated Members on revisions to the Committee’s Work Programme detailing the work of the Committee prior to the summer recess.

3.    Chairperson’s Business (Correspondences and Attendances).

Members noted a number of items of correspondence received by the Chairperson. The Chairperson informed Members of two forthcoming informal briefing meetings that she will be hosting on the 12th June with ‘Age Concern Northern Ireland’ and ‘Learn and Grow’. Members were invited to attend these meetings.

4.    Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC).

The Chairperson welcomed Tom Place, John D’Arcy, Brian Caul and Brian Turtle from the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC). The Committee received a briefing on skills and training, in particular the Department for Employment and Learning’s “FE Means Business” strategy. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session. The Chairperson thanked officials for their attendance before the Committee.

Mr Butler declared an interest as a lecturer at the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

11.41am Mr McClarty left the meeting

5.    Departmental Briefing on Pathways to Work / Welfare Reform

The Chairperson welcomed Patricia McAuley and Jim Russell from the Department for Employment and Learning. The Committee received a briefing on the Pathways to Work Initiative and Welfare Reform. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session. The Chairperson thanked the Departmental officials for their attendance before the Committee.

11.54am Mr McClarty returned to the meeting
12.18pm Mr Butler left the meeting
12.18pm Mr McCausland left the meeting

6.    Subordinate Legislation – Increasing holiday leave entitlement

The Chairperson welcomed Greg McConnell and Valerie O’Reilly from the Department for Employment and Learning. The Committee received a briefing on legislation being brought forward by the Department to increase workers’ holiday leave entitlement. The briefing was followed with a question and answer session. The Chairperson thanked the Departmental officials for their attendance before the Committee.

12.24pm Mr Butler returned to the meeting

Mr Spratt declared an interest as Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Joint Council for Local Government Services (NIJC).

7.    Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13th June 2007 at 10.00am in the Council Chamber, Queen’s University, Belfast.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.48pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning.

13 June 2007.