Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10:31pm in public session.

1. Minutes of the meetings held on 10 th December 2008 and 13 th January 2009

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Briefing from the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) on Workplace Dispute Resolution

10:37am Mr Attwood joined the meeting

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA): Jim McCusker, Chairman, Penny Holloway, Director of Conciliation and Arbitration, Roden Ward, Board Member, and Julie Anne Clarke, Board Member , on the Committee’s work on workplace dispute resolution. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

10:53am Mrs McGill joined the meeting

3. Briefing from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on Workplace Dispute Resolution

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): John Friel, Regional Manager, Wilfred Mitchell OBE, Chairman of the NI Area Policy Unit, and Carolyn Brown, Policy Manager , on the Committee’s work on workplace dispute resolution. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

4. Matter Arising

• Members noted an additional Departmental paper following the briefing to the Committee on 10 th December 2008 on the December monitoring round;
• Agreed: Members noted a press article published in the Sunday Times on the low uptake of university places from socially disadvantaged students. Members also noted and discussed correspondence in relation to the Department’s subordinate legislation on Variable Tuition Fees 2009/10 and agreed that the correspondence be issued, subject to amendment;
• Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to capital build public works. Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Department of Finance and Personnel on this issue.

5. Chairperson’s Business

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

Agreed: Mr Atwood updated Members on the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2009. Members agreed to hold an event in Parliament Buildings to recognise the achievements of local schools at the event.

The Chairperson updated Members on a meeting on 6 th January with representatives of the Educational Guidance Service for Adults.

6. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

7. Newspaper Articles

Members noted the following newspaper articles published recently.

• “UU in shock campus move” – Belfast Telegraph, 19/12/08

Agreed: This article relates to proposals for the University of Ulster to relocate courses from its Jordanstown Campus to its Belfast Campus. Members also noted correspondence from the University on this issue and agreed that the Vice-Chancellor brief the Committee on the University’s strategy development plans. Members also agreed that the Chairperson write to the Department seeking views of this issue;

• “New year gloom as the crunch deepens” – Belfast Telegraph, 29/12/08

This article relates to the predictions that 600,000 jobs could be lost in the retail and building sectors as a result of the economic downturn.

• “Builders will train on the job” – Irish News, 29/12/08

This article relates to the announcement of the Irish Government to introduce a scheme to continue training for unemployed construction sector apprentices.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the employment minister, Mary Coughlan, on this issue;

• “1,600 a day ‘will lose their jobs next year’” – Daily Telegraph, 29/12/08

This article relates to potential job losses as a result of the economic downturn.

8. Any Other Business

Members noted a paper from Assembly Research and Library Services in relation to Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Members also noted a Departmental paper detailing recent research publications relevant to the Department.

Agreed: Members discussed and agreed, subject to amendment, the Committee’s motion to the Assembly on its Report on the Review of Teacher Education.

9. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21 st January 2009 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:59am.

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
21 January 2009