Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 10.08am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted that the briefing scheduled for today has been cancelled because the Minister has indicated that she will brief the Committee on the impact of the flag protests at a later date.

Agreed: to arrange a meeting as soon as possible with Minister to discuss the impact of the flag protests.

Members considered an invitation to the Chairperson to attend a business lunch hosted by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association

Agreed: Gordon Dunne to represent the Committee at this event.

Members considered an invitation to the Chair and the Deputy Chair to attend the Institution of Engineering and Technology Annual Dinner.

Agreed: Gordon Dunne to represent the Committee at this event.

Agreed: to circulate the invitation those members not present.

Members noted details of the future visit to Brussels.

3. Minutes of meeting held on 7 January 2013.

Members considered the draft minutes of the 7 February 2013.

Minutes were agreed.

 4. Matters Arising

Members considered a progress report from the Department on the priorities of the EU Commission Work Programme for 2013 as identified in the Assembly research paper.

Agreed: to forward the response to the Committee for OFMDFM.

Agreed: to forward the Department’s briefing on the EU Commission’s proposals for regional aid to the Committee for OFMDFM following the meeting on 28 February.

Members noted a response from the Department on the gas extension to the west.

Paul Frew joined the meeting at 10.15am

Members considered a response from the Ulster Bank regarding the publication of the Financial Services Authority and Royal Bank of Scotland reports.

Agreed: to seek an update from the Financial Services Authority on the expected date of publication of the reports.

Members noted the update on the ICT Working Group from the Department for Employment & Learning.

Members discussed information received from the Committee for Employment & Learning regarding the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

Agreed: to ask to be kept informed by the Committee for E&L on future developments.

5. Social Economy Work Programme:– Oral Briefing from Social Enterprise Northern Ireland

Representatives joined the meeting at 10.17am

Members received an oral briefing from Juliet Cornford, Director, Social Enterprise NI, Marie Marin, Chief Executive Officer, Employers for Childcare and John McMullan, Chief Executive, Bryson Charitable Group.

Sue Ramsey joined the meeting at 10.29am

Key issues discussed included: the Green Investment Bank, Departmental funding and the mapping of the social enterprise sector.

Paul Frew left the meeting at 10.41am

Sue Ramsey declared an interest as a social enterprise project team member.

Agreed: to receive further information from the Department on the commissioned report to map the sector.

Agreed: to receive further written briefing from Social Enterprise NI on a social value framework

Agreed: to receive clarification from Social Enterprise NI on the cost of insurance for child minding and on the legal status of family members as paid carers.

Agreed: to Social Enterprise NI to provide the contact details for the regional co-ordinators.

6. Regional Start Initiative: - Oral Briefing from Invest NI

Representatives joined the meeting at 11.27am.

Members received an oral briefing from Bill Scott, Executive Director of Regional Business, Oonagh Hinds, Regional Office Manager East and Patricia Devine, Local Area Manager – European and Partner Delivery.

Sandra Overend joined the meeting at 11.45am

Key issues discussed included: details regarding the costing of the Regional Start Initiative and the regional disparities of applications to the Regional Start Initiative.

Robin Newton joined the meeting at 11.53am

Agreed: to receive details from the Department on the proportion of Enterprise Northern Ireland legal costs covered by Invest NI.

Agreed: to receive clarification from Invest NI regarding the impact of the uptake of the initiative on people who are on benefits, including the impact on issues such as ‘availability for work’ and eligibility for benefits.

7. NI Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey Report: - Written Briefing from NI Chamber of Commerce

Members noted the results of Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of the Quarterly Economic Survey for the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

8. Correspondence

Members noted the following items of correspondence for action

i. From the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding European Priorities 2013-14.

Agreed: to consider a draft response to the Committee for OFMDFM regarding European Priorities 2013-14 at the next meeting.

ii. From Action Renewables regarding an assignment on Energy in Northern Ireland to 2050.

Agreed: To suggest to the Department to invite members of the Committee for Regional Development to the stakeholders’ event on transport.

Members noted the following items of correspondence

iii. From the Chief Executive of Mutual Energy Limited regarding its briefing to the Committee on 31 January 2013.

iv. From the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce regarding the Exporter’s Round Table Dinner.

9. Any other business

Members were informed that there will not be a Committee meeting next week as the Committee will visit Harland & Wolff and Bombardier.

Members considered a statement by the Minister for Employment & Learning on apprenticeships and youth training.

Agreed: To write to the Minister for Employment & Learning to suggest that more consideration should be given to engaging with DETI and Invest NI on the development of a strategy.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on 28 February at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 12.28am

Mr Phil Flanagan
Deputy Chair, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Thursday 28 February 2013