Minutes of Proceedings

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 17th September 2008

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Briefing from St. Mary’s University College on the Review of Teacher Education

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of the St. Mary’s University College: Mr Peter Finn, Principal, and Mr Brian McFall, Director of Finance and Administration, on the Review of Teacher Education. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson write to the Minister to ascertain the current position on this issue.

3. Matters Arising

Agreed: Members noted correspondence from People 1st relating to its Sector Skills Agreement and Project Spinnaker and agreed that People 1st be invited to brief the Committee.

Members noted that the Minister has agreed to forward to the Committee the business case on the proposed merger of Stranmillis University College with the Queen’s University of Belfast when it is made available.

Agreed: the Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to Stranmillis University College and the Queen’s University of Belfast to determine if they propose to complete the proposed merger in September 2009, in the light of the questions to the Minister in the Assembly on Monday 22nd September.

4. Chairperson’s Business

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

5. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notices issued recently.

6. Any Other Business

Members noted a paper on the strategic stocktake of the Budget position for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Agreed: Members noted an SL1 from the Department for Social Development entitled “The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008” and agreed that the Committee seeks the views of relevant disability organisations on the content of the proposed rule.

The Committee noted that the Chairperson has requested to meet with the Minister in relation to contracting issues relating to the Steps to Work Programme and that an update on this meeting will be provided in due course.

7. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 1st October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:02pm.

The meeting was followed by a tour of the facilities at St. Mary’s University College.

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