Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:33am in public session.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 7 th May 2008

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

10:37am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
10:40am Mr Spratt joined the meeting
10:50am Ms Lo joined the meeting

2.    Briefing from Diversity Works on long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of Diversity Works: Monica Wilson, Chair of the Diversity Works Developmental Partnership and Nicola O’Neill, Research & Policy Officer, and on long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to circulate the Diversity Works research study “Hard to deal with?” to all committee chairpersons and ministers.

3.    Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses.

The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting with representatives of the Association of Teachers & Lecturers (NI) on 14 th May 2008.

11:20am The meeting moved into closed session
11:20am Mr Spratt left the meeting
11:20am Mr McClarty left the meeting

4.    Consideration of Committee Findings on Training for Success

Agreed: The Committee deliberated on its initial findings with respect to its first report into the early stage roll-out of Training for Success. Members agreed that the full draft report be considered at the Committee meeting on 21 st May.

11:26am Mr Spratt returned
11:32am Mr McClarty returned

5.    Matters Arising

Teacher Education

Members noted correspondence from the Department on the Minister’s availability to brief the Committee.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minster on arrange of issues regarding recent developments relating to Stranmillis and St. Mary’s University Colleges.

12:00pm Mr McCrea joined the meeting

6.    Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

7.    Any Other Business

Agreed: Members discussed and agreed that the proposed visit to Magherafelt Jobs and Benefits Office on 28 th May be postponed and that the meeting be held in Parliament Buildings on that day.

8.    Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21 st May 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:16pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning

21 May 2008