Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:32am in public session.

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 10 th October 2007

Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.

2.    Matters Arising

Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee undertake study visits to South West College, Omagh and Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL) on 21 st November and 5 th December, respectively.

3.    Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a response from the Minister to correspondence in relation to the laying of Statutory Rules in the Assembly.

The Chairperson briefed Members on an out-of-committee meeting with the Open College Network that she, and the Deputy Chairperson, held on 17 th October.

4.    Briefing on Adult Leaning Provision

10:40am Mr Attwood joined the meeting

The Committee received a briefing form Eileen Kelly, Educational Guidance Service for Adults, Stevie Johnston, Workers’ Educational Association, and Johnston Price, Ulster Peoples’ College, on concerns with respect to their role as providers in the field of adult and community education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

11:13am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
11:19am Mr McCausland left the meeting
11:25am Mr McCausland returned to the meeting
11:25am Mr Newton joined the meeting

5.    Briefing from DEL’s Analytical Services Branch

The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Victor Dukelow, Head of Analytical Services Branch, Wendy Lecky, Tertiary Education Analytical Services Branch, and Dave Rogers, Research and Evaluation Branch, on the work of Analytical Services Branch. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

12:10pm Mr Butler left the meeting

6.    Corporate Planning Briefing from the Permanent Secretary

The Committee received a briefing from Departmental officials Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, and David McAuley, Director of Strategy and Employment Rights Division, on the Department’s proposals for its 2008-2011 Corporate Plan. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

12:42pm Mr Spratt left the meeting

7.    Subordinate Legislation

Members noted and were content with the following item of subordinate legislation: Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

8.    Public Accounts Committee’s Report on Springvale Educational Village Project

Members noted the Public Accounts Committee’s report and a Ministerial statement issued on 11 th October.

9.    Departmental Press Notices

Members noted Departmental press notices issued recently.

10. Any Other Business

Agreed: Members noted a consultation document entitled “A careers education, information, advice and guidance strategy for Northern Ireland” and agreed to receive a briefing on this jointly with the Committee for Education on 16 th November.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee should meet in private session, after the meeting on 24 th October, to discuss issues pertaining to the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: Following on from the plenary debate of the 16 th October, Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister to offer support and to seek further information on the Departmental reviews on training opportunities for persons with a disability.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister to seek urgent engagement with the Department with respect to the future of adult and community education.

12:49pm Mr Ross left the meeting
12:49pm Mr Newton left the meeting

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 24 th October 2007 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:57pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
24 October 2007