Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 11 February 2009
Venue: Room 135
The meeting opened at 10:03am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above. Mr McClarty and Rev Dr Coulter were not in attendance as they were representing the Committee at the Northern Regional College’s Workforce Development Forum Roadshow.
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 4 th February 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the University of Ulster on its Development Strategy
- 10:07am Mr Butler joined the meeting
- The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the University of Ulster: Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alastair Adair, and Professor Denise McAlister on the University’s Development Strategy. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Departmental briefing from the Review of Student Fees
- The Committee received a briefing from Departmental Officials: Joanne Stuart, Review Chairperson, Fergus Devitt, Director of Higher Education Division, and Angela McAllister of Student Finance Branch, on the Department’s Review of Student Fees. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister regarding the publication of the Review’s interim report.
4. Departmental briefing of Steps to Work
- 11:25am Mr Easton left the meeting
11:35am Mr Easton returned to the meeting - The Committee received a briefing from Departmental Officials: Patricia McAuley, Director of Preparation for Work Division, Tommy McVeigh, Head of Quality and Performance Branch, and Sheila McNeill, Head of Programme Management and Development Branch, on the Department’s Steps to Work Programme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
11:40am Mr Hilditch left the meeting
12:03pm The Chairperson adjourned the meeting
12:18pm The meeting resumed in public session
5. Departmental Submission to the Department of Finance and Personnel relating to February Monitoring
Agreed: The Committee noted the Department’s submission to the Department of Finance and Personnel relating to February monitoring. Members agreed that the issue should be considered further at the meeting on 18 th February.
6. Matter Arising
Members noted correspondence from the Queen’s University of Belfast outlining its future plans for the buildings currently occupied by the University’s School of Education.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson write to the university seeking clarification on issues raised in the correspondence.
Members also noted correspondence from the Minister relating to this issue.
7. Chairperson’s Business
- Correspondence received
Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. - Variable Tuition Fees 2009/10
Agreed: Members noted correspondence, in response to a letter from the Chairperson dated 22 nd January, from the Universities and the University Colleges on the issue of variable tuition fees for the 2009/10 academic year and agreed that the issue be considered at the Committee’s meeting on 18 th February. - Update of Further Education Lecturers’ Pay Dispute
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Minister, dated 6 th February, providing an update on the situation pertaining to the ongoing Further Education Lecturers’ pay dispute and agreed that the issue be considered at the Committee’s meeting on 18 th February. - Assembly Question 4332/09
Agreed: Members noted the response to a recent Assembly Question from Mr Alastair Ross to the Minister on the issue of Review of Variable Tuition Fees and agreed that further information be requested from the Department on the publication of an interim report. - Early leavers from the Jobskills and Training for Success Programmes
Members noted a Departmental statistical update on people leaving early from the Department’s Jobskills and Training for Success programmes.
8. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a Departmental press notice issued on 3 rd February 2009.
9. Any Other Business
- Revised Forward Work Programme
Members noted the revised Forward Work Programme for the Committee. - STEM discussion forum event (with DEL, DE & DETI Committees)
Members noted arrangements for the STEM discussion forum event on Wednesday 18 th February at 12:00pm in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 18 th February 2009 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:39pm.
