Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 21 January 2009
Venue: Room 135
The meeting opened at 10:04am in public session.
Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 14 th January 2009
Agreed: The minutes were agreed.
2. Briefing from the Cedar Foundation on its strategy for 2008-2011
10:05am Mr Hilditch joined the meeting
10:08am Mrs McGill joined the meeting
10:18am Mr Newton joined the meeting
The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the Cedar Foundation: Stephen Mathews, Chief Executive, Eileen Thomson, Deputy Chief Executive, Kieran Molloy, Head of Training Services, and Elaine Armstrong, Head of Brain Injury Services, on the work of the Cedar Foundation and on its strategy for 2008-2011. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister on the issue on ESF matched funding.
3. Final Consideration of Committee’s draft Review of Teacher Education report
The Committee considered the final Draft of the Review of Teacher Education Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that an extract of today’s Minutes of Proceedings should be included in Appendix 1 as unapproved minutes to allow for inclusion in the printed report.
The Committee ordered the Report on the Review of Teacher Education to be printed.
The Committee noted that the report is scheduled for debate in the Assembly on Tuesday 3 rd February.
4. Subordinate Legislation
Members noted and were content with the following items of subordinate legislation:
- Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
- Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
5. Matter Arising
- Variable Tuition Fees 2009/10 – revised correspondence
Agreed: Members noted the revised correspondence to Queen’s University, the University of Ulster, Stranmillis University College and St. Mary’s University College and agreed, subject to further amendment, that the letters be issued;
- Joint STEM event with DEL, DE & DETI Committees on 18 th February
Agreed: Members noted arrangements for the event on 18 th February and agreed the letters of invitation to key stakeholders for issue;
- Fortnightly Departmental update on contingency arrangements for apprenticeships
Agreed: Members agreed that additional information should be sought, as part of the ongoing updates, from the Department.
6. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted two items correspondence from the Minister and the Education and Training Inspectorate in relation to “Steps to Work” inspections.
Agreed: Members agreed to request an update briefing from the Department on the Steps to Work programme.
Members noted that the proposed meeting of the Chairperson with representatives of Disability Action on 21 st January in relation to the work of the Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities has been postponed.
11:30am Mr Hilditch left the meeting
7. Departmental Press Notices
Members noted a Departmental press in relation to the number of student applications to Northern Ireland Universities.
8. Any Other Business
- Scrutiny of Public Procurement Practice in Northern Ireland
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the Committee’s response to the Finance and Personnel Committee on its scrutiny of Public Procurement Practice in Northern Ireland. - Work-shadowing placements for students with disabilities
Agreed: Members discussed a memo from the Committee Office in relation to the potential for Members to host a work-shadowing placement during Disability Week 2009 and agreed that the Committee Office take the issue forward. - FE Lecturers Pay Dispute
Agreed: Members agreed to request an update briefing from the Department on the ongoing FE Lecturers pay dispute. - National Minimum Wage
Mr Butler raised concerns regarding the impact that the legislation is having on part-time employees. The issue will be raised at a future meeting of the Committee. - Health Committee Inquiry into Obesity
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to the Minister for Employment and Learning and agreed that the correspondence be forwarded to the Minister.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 28 th January 2009 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11:35am.
