Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 03 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA 
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA 
Mr Paul Girvan MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA

Apologies:
Mr Pól Callaghan MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

In Attendance: 
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk) 
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor) 
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.06 p.m. in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted that the meeting would be followed by a reception for healthcare related groups in the long gallery.

The Chairperson referred members to details of member’s attendance at Committee meetings for September 2010 to February 2011. Members were asked to check and verify this information. The Committee noted that this information will be published on the Assembly website after 5 th May 2011.

The Committee noted waiting time statistics and agreed to write to write to the Department for further information.

The Committee noted the latest swine flu bulletin.

2.08 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher joined the meeting.

3. Draft Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 24 February 2011

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 24 February 2011 were agreed .

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted a response from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust providing further information regarding the IMAS report on the Children’s Hospital.

The Committee noted copies of responses to requests for information under the Freedom of Information.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development regarding the Autism Bill.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Children’s Commissioner and the Minister regarding a legislative consent motion concerning the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

The Committee took evidence from:

Ms Eilis McDaniel Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS

Ms Pamela Mallon Child Care Directorate, DHSSPS

2.29 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.

A question and answer session ensued. The committee agreed that it was content that the Department proceed with the legislative consent motion.

5. Evidence session on the McKinsey Report

The Committee took evidence from:

Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS

Mr John Compton Chief Executive, Health & Social Care Board

Mr Paul Cummings Director of Finance, Health & Social Care Board

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

2.35 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.

2.44 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan left the meeting.

3.00 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.

3.02 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.

3.03 p.m. Mr Paul Girvan rejoined the meeting.

3.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher rejoined the meeting.

3.07 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

3.47 p.m. Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting.

6. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/39. The Food Additives (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Committee considered SR 2011/39 - The Food Additives (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

7. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/41. The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/41- The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

8. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/45. The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

The Committee considered SR 2011/45 - The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

9. Statutory Rule. SR 2011/47. The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

The Committee considered SR 2011/47- The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and had no objection to the Rule subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister providing the Committee with a copy of the Department’s strategy for good nutritional care for adults and a copy of responses to the Department’s consultation on the strategy.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of the Department’s plans to carry out a consultation on the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of the Department’s plans to carry out a consultation on supporting adults in Northern Ireland living with long term conditions.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing a quarterly evaluation of Post Project Evaluations.

The Committee noted a correspondence from the Committee for Social Development regarding the Carer’s Allowance Bill. Member noted that the Committee had written to the Department seeking its views on this Bill and agreed to respond to the Social Development Committee when this was received.

The Committee noted a letter from Mr Ian Paisley MP forwarding the Fire Brigades Union’s response on the draft Budget 2011-15 and agreed to write to Mr Paisley informing him that the Committee has already submitted its response to the draft Budget.

The Committee noted a letter from Ballymena Borough Council regarding Ballymena Health and Social Care Centre and agreed to advise the Council that it did not become involved in constituency matters.

The Committee noted a copy of the BMA report ‘Health Matters: Our Priorities for Health’.

The Committee noted a letter from Mr. Morris regarding his employment with the Belfast Trust and agreed to write to Mr. Morris advising that it does not become involved in individual cases and suggesting that he contacts his constituency representatives.

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr. Sam Adair regarding a call for an inquiry into institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a letter from Brook NI seeking a meeting with the Chair and agreed to advise the organisation to contact the new Committee when it is established in the next mandate.

The Committee noted that a copy of a response has been received from the Department in relation to issues raised by Sharon Ramsey on autism issues.

11. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Thursday 10 th March 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.09 p.m.

Chairperson