Minutes of Proceedings

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

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1.    Minutes of the meeting held on 24 th September 2008

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2.    Briefing from the National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) on the Review of Teacher Education

10:38a.m. Mr Attwood joined the meeting

The Committee received a briefing from Katie Morgan, President of the National Union of Students / Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI), on the Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

10:54a.m. Mr Irwin joined the meeting

3.    Briefing from the Stranmillis Students Union on the Review of Teacher Education

The Committee received a briefing from Andrew Currie, Sean McElhinney, and Gillian Chapman, on the Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

11:56a.m. Mr Irwin left the meeting
11:57a.m. Mr Butler left the meeting

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write the Board of Governors of Stranmillis University College in relation to efficiency savings and mechanisms in place in the event of students opposing the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College with the Queen’s University of Belfast.

Agreed: Members also agreed that the Chairperson write to the Education Minister requesting a Committee briefing from Departmental officials on the allocation of student teacher numbers.

4.    Matters Arising

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister regarding briefings from officials on the Steps to Work programme.

Members noted correspondence from the Minister for Finance and Personnel approving a briefing from the Central Procurement Directorate on the procurement process in relation to the Steps to Work programme.

Members noted a paper from the Department on the suspension of pre-employment vetting Enhanced Disclosure checks by AccessNI in relation to persons seeking employment with children and vulnerable adults. The Chairperson informed the Committee that she will request to meet with Minister Paul Goggins MP on this issue.

5.    Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. The Committee also noted a number of forthcoming events to be attended by the Chairperson and/or Members.

6.    Subordinate Legislation

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rule that is subject to confirmatory resolution and the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules:

• The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 – SR 2008/374

The Committee raised no objection to the Rule.

Question put and agreed:

“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered the Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.”

7.    Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

8.    Any Other Business

Agreed: Members noted and agreed the proposed response to the Finance and Personnel Committee on its Inquiry into the Role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Scrutinising the Executive’s Budget and Expenditure.

Agreed: Members noted a minute of the meeting of officials from the Department for Employment and Learning, the Department of Education and Stranmillis University College on 6 th December 2007 and agreed that the minute be included in the Committee report on the Review of Teacher Education.

Members noted the annual report of the Certification Officer for Northern Ireland 2007-2008 and the annual report and accounts 2007-08 of the Labour Relations Agency.

9.    Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8 th October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:13pm.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
8 October 2008