Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:28am in public session.

Apologies

No apologies were received.

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 th November 2008

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Matter Arising

• Weekly departmental update on contingency arrangements for apprenticeships
  Members noted an update paper, received on 28 th November, from the Department on this issue.
• Update on Calcast
  Members noted correspondence from the Department providing an update on the situation with regard to redundancies at the Calcast Ltd factory, Campsie.
• Correspondence from Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning
  The Committee noted an item of correspondence from the Minister thanking the Committee for its input into the Department’s consultation on a comprehensive all-age strategy for careers education, information, advice and guidance.

3. Subordinate Legislation

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rule that was laid in the Assembly on 24 th November and is subject to negative resolution. The Committee also noted the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules:

• The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (SR 2008/455

Members also noted a press release on the issue of student fees issued by the Department on 3 rd December.

10:48am Rev Dr Robert Coulter joined the meeting

Question put:
“That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (SR 2008/455) and recommends that it be annulled by the Assembly.”

The Committee divided: Ayes 4; Noes 6; Abstain: 1

AYES
S Ramsey (Chairperson)
A Attwood
P Butler
Claire McGill

NOES
R Newton (Deputy Chairperson)
R Coulter
A Easton
D Hilditch
D McClarty

ABSTAIN
A Lo

The question therefore fell.

10:52am Mr William Irwin joined the meeting

4. 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.

5. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

6. Any Other Business

• Arrangements for Committee meeting on 10 th December and pre-approval of Committee press release
  Agreed: Members noted arrangements for the next meeting of the Committee on 10 th December at Employment Services Board, Springfield Road, Belfast. The Committee agreed its proposed press release for the event.
• Proposed informal meeting of the Chairperson / Deputy Chairperson with officials of the Queen’s University of Belfast
  The Committee noted a requested meeting by officials of the Queen’s University of Belfast and Stranmillis University College with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson aimed at providing an update on the situation with regard to their proposed merger.
• Review of Success Through Skills
  Members noted a Departmental paper on its review of the Success Through Skills programme.
• December Monitoring Round
  Agreed: Members noted a Departmental paper on the December Monitoring Round and agreed that Departmental officials should brief the Committee on this issue at its meeting on 10 th December.
• Training our way out of a recession
  Agreed: The Committee noted a paper from the Department entitled “Training our way out of a recession” that details the Department’s activity in light of the economic downturn. Members agreed that the issue should be raised at the meeting on 10 th December.
• Scrutiny of public procurement practice in Northern Ireland
  Agreed: Members noted a memo from the Committee for Finance & Personnel detailing its proposals for scrutiny of public procurement practice in Northern Ireland and agree that a submission should be submitted from the Committee.
• Steps to Work Programme
  The Deputy Chairperson expressed his concern at the low target of 25% of participants of the Department’s Steps to Work Programme gaining employment.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that regular updates should be sought as to whether this target is being achieved, given the current economic climate.

7. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 th December 2008 at 10.30am at Employment Services Board, Millennium Community Outreach Centre, 400 Springfield Road, Belfast.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:00am.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
10 December 2008