Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10. 10 am in public session

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Briefing by Sentinus on the promotion of STEM subjects

Brian Campbell, Chief Executive, and Jim Stewart, Chairperson, outlined the work of Sentinus in the promotion of science, technology and engineering subjects in schools. Caron Malone, provided members with a personal insight into her experience as a Young Innovator award winner and her work as a STEM Ambassador. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

10.24 am Mr Hilditch joined the meeting

2. Briefing by members of the Committee’s Expert Panel on STEM subjects

The Committee received a briefing from Joanne Stuart, Chairperson of the Panel, and Clare Passmore, Panel member, on the recommendations of the recently published Report of the STEM Review. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: Members agreed to host a further STEM stakeholder event.

3. Minutes of the meetings held on 11 November 2009

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

4. Subordinate Legislation

• The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

Members noted the proposal to make the above Statutory Rule.

• Statutory Rule 2009 No.366: The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

Members noted the above Statutory Rule and agreed the motion, “That the Committee for Employment and Learning has considered The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (SR 2009/366) and has no objection to the Rule”.

5. Matters Arising

• Barroso Task Force Report

Members noted the update from the Minister for Employment and Learning on the Executive’s Action Plan for the above report.

• Higher and Further Education Collaboration Fund

Members noted an update from the Department for Employment and Learning, highlighting the completion of the above review, and setting out its findings and recommendations.

• Research Excellence Framework – Second Consultation

Agreed: Members noted this update from the Department and agreed to seek further information as the work progresses.

• Review of the CITB

Members noted a response from the Minister for Employment and Learning to previous correspondence on this issue.

• Short-term contracts within the NICS

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister confirming the continuing practice of engaging employees within the NICS on 51-week contracts, and agreed to consider this issue further at a later date.

• Closure of the German Department at QUB

Members noted a response from Queens University to previous correspondence on this issue.

• Review of the Committee for Finance and Personnel Public Procurement Stakeholder Conference

Agreed: The Committee noted the above report, and agreed to return to this subject at its next meeting.

• Appointment of a new Director/ Chief Executive at Belfast Metropolitan College

Agreed: The Committee congratulated Marie-Therese McGivern on the above appointment.

• Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace

Agreed: Members noted a response from the Minister on the above issue, and agreed to consider this further at its next meeting.

• Funding concerns over University of Ulster expansion

Members noted press coverage of the Minister’s comments on the University of Ulster’s expansion plans for its Belfast campus, which had been referred to at the last Committee meeting

11.44 am The meeting was suspended for a short break.

11.52 am The meeting resumed.

6. Chairperson’s Business

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

7. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.

8. Primary Legislation

The Committee considered a note of amendments to the Employment Bill, proposed by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, requesting a briefing from officials on these proposed amendments.

9. Any Other Business

• Departmental Performance on answering Written Questions

Members noted the above information.

• Essential Skills Qualifications

The Committee noted the DEL factsheet on the above issue.

• Research Review: July – September 2009

Members noted a review of recent research publications provided by DEL

• Sustainable Transport Inquiry

The Committee noted a memo from the Committee for Regional Development, regarding the above inquiry

• Research Funding

Members noted correspondence from the Minister clarifying the procedures used to rank research funding proposals from the Universities.

• Visit to Dublin

Agreed: The Committee agreed that five members should travel to Dublin on 24 November 2009 to observe a hearing of the Rights Commissioners, in furtherance of their consideration of Workplace Dispute Resolution.

• Forward Work Programme – for information

Members noted the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for the period of October 2009 to January 2010.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 2 December 2009 in Room 30, Parliament Building.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.01pm

Ms Sue Ramsey
Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
18 November 2009