Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA 
Mr Paul Girvan MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

Apologies:
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Mr Mickey Brady MLA

In Attendance: 
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk) 
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor) 
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor) 
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer) 
Mr Colin Pidgeon (Assembly Research Services)

The meeting commenced at 2.00 p .m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting and Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 th October 2010

The minutes of the Committee meeting and Sub-Committee meeting held on 14th October 2010 were agreed.

3. Chair’s business

The Committee passed their best wishes to John McCallister and his wife on the birth of their daughter.

The Committee discussed evidence taken regarding the Regional Neurology Service at the last Committee meeting and agreed to write to NHS Institute for Innovation & Improvement about this matter. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department regarding its concerns.

4. Assembly Research Services briefing on Budget 2010 support

The Committee were briefed by Colin Pidgeon from Assembly Research Services on the support which will be provided by Assembly Research Services for the Committee’s consideration of Budget 2010.

2.16 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny joined the meeting. 
2.19 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey joined the meeting.

5. Evidence session with Departmental officials on Northern Ireland Executive Budget 2010

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary 
Ms Catherine Daly Acting Under Secretary Resources & Performance Management 
Mr Martin Bradley Chief Nursing Officer 
Ms Christine Smyth Acting Assistant Chief Social Services Officer

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to forward further information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

2.26 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting. 
2.30 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting. 
3.06 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting. 
3.12 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting. 
3.15 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting. 
3.40 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 
3.54 p.m. Meeting resumed.

6. Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill NIA 25/09

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr Fergal Bradley Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS
Ms Patricia Nicholl Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS
Ms Isobel Riddell Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS

The Committee discussed clauses of the Bill with the Department. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.57 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting. 
4.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting. 
4.41 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting. 
4.50 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting. 
4.56 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting. 
5.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting. 
5.08 p.m.Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting. 
5.14 p.m.Mrs Mary Bradley rejoined the meeting. 
5.16 p.m.Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting.
5.20 p.m.Mrs Mary Bradley rejoined the meeting. 
5.32 p.m.Mrs Mary Bradley left the meeting.

The Committee discussed the appointment of a Chair for the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland. Mr Alex Easton proposed that:

‘The Committee ask the Minister to stop the current public appointments process and re-advertise the post of Chair at a higher salary scale’.

The Committee divided: Ayes 4; Noes 3; Abstentions 0

AYES

Mr Jim Wells 
Mr Paul Girvan 
Mr Alex Easton 
Dr Kieran Deeny

NOES

Mr Tommy Gallagher 
Mr Sam Gardiner
Mrs Michelle O’Neill

The motion was passed, and the Committee agreed to write to the Minister regarding this matter.

7. Autism Bill

The Committee noted that Dominic Bradley MLA had submitted the Autism Bill to the Speaker on Friday 15 th October and has requested that it be introduced. Members noted amendments to the Bill.

6.00 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting. 
6.03 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

8. Statutory Rule: SR 2010/ 338. The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

The Committee considered SR 2010/ 338. The Foodstuffs Suitable for People Intolerant to Gluten Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects of the Rule.

9. Proposed Statutory Rule

The Committee considered the Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and agreed that the Department should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.

10. Matters arising

The Committee noted a letter from the RQIA regarding the Donagh abuse case and agreed to forward it to the Justice Committee for its information.

The Committee noted a response from the Minister about the availability of bariatric surgery in Northern Ireland and agreed to copy this to Peter Robinson MLA who raised the issue with the Committee.

The Committee noted a response from OFMDFM about the North South Feasibility study and funding for the Desertcreat Training College.

The Committee noted responses from the Western, Belfast, Southern and Northern Trusts about the criteria used by each Trust to assess needs for people with autism and how unmet needs are being addressed and agreed to copy the responses to the National Autistic Society who raised the issue with the Committee.

The Committee noted a copy of correspondence to the Justice Committee from the Department of Justice regarding the McDermott case.

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Kevin Taylor regarding the McDermott case and agreed to write to Mr Taylor to clarify the issues he raised.

The Committee noted an email from Mr Wilfrid Reavie regarding the availability of certain items on prescription.

The Committee noted a report on the informal meeting with NEXUS and agreed to writeto the Department about this matter.

11. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Department regarding the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board appointment of Chair and non-executive board members.

The Committee noted a Departmental Consultation on proposals for a new Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and Action Plan and agreed to ask the Department to provide the Committee with a written brief on the outcome of the consultation.

The Committee noted an email regarding the Department’s Annual Progress Report to the Equality Commission NI.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Investing Activity Report.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding a Support for Carers research paper and a research briefing note.

The Committee noted a letter from the South Eastern Trust stating that it has postponed consideration of modernising proposals until 24 November 2010.

The Committee noted a letter from the Rainbow Project regarding the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration and agreed to write to the Rainbow Project to advise the Committee is not considering this issue in the near future.

The Committee noted a letter from BALM mental health support group regarding the budget and Mental Health Services and agreed to add the group to the list of organisations who have written to the Committee to date on Budget 2010 and to consider which groups to invite to give evidence when the budget timetable is clarified.

The Committee noted a letter from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) regarding two publications representing the findings of an NCT survey of women’s experience of postnatal care.

The Committee noted an email from the Save the Mid group seeking a cross departmental meeting on the removal of A&E services from the Mid Ulster Hospital.

The Committee noted a letter from Vela Microboards regarding the work of their organisation and agreed to consider this at the next Committee meeting.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Pharmaceutical Contractors Committee regarding a review of the Operation of the Minor Ailments Scheme in Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a consultation from the Department on the level of pharmacy premises fees to be charged from 1 st January 2011.

The Committee noted a consultation from the Department about adding plain frozen fruit and vegetables and minimising voucher misuse on the next Steps for Healthy Start scheme.

The Committee noted the DHSSPS Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010.

The Committee noted the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Report 2009-2010.

12. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

13. Date, Time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 4 th November 2010 at 2 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6.15 p .m.