Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 2.01 pm in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Ombudsman Bill Proposals

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek legal advice from the Assembly’s Legal Services in relation to the Department of Justice’s proposal that the Judicial Appointments Ombudsman role would be undertaken by the Committee’s proposed Public Services Ombudsman.

Let’s Talk, Let’s Act Event

The Committee noted correspondence from the Assembly’s Education Service inviting Members to an event, on 19 June 2013, called Let’s Talk, Let’s Act which allows youth workers and young people to meet with MLAs to discuss relevant issues. Members agreed to notify the Committee Office if they are available to attend.

Mongolia Exhibition

The Committee considered a request from the Honorary Consul of Mongolia to host a lunchtime reception, on 18 November 2013, to launch an exhibition commemorating the 5oth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the governments of the United Kingdom and Mongolia.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to sponsor the lunchtime event.

Current Invites

The Committee noted a list of events to which it had received invitations.

3. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2013

Agreed: The draft minutes of the proceedings of the 29 May 2013 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Departmental letter regarding OFMDFM Plan 2013/14

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing a copy of its Departmental Plan for 2013/14.

Departmental response regarding PfG 17 – City of Culture Marketing

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department relating to revised estimates for the marketing plan costs and the inclusion of security for the City of Culture 2013.

OFMDFM response regarding Childcare Strategy Consultation Events

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information in relation to Childcare Strategy consultation events.

Child Poverty

The Committee considered a response from the Department in relation to the impact of the Delivering Social Change Framework Signature Projects in tackling child poverty.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request copies of the delivery plans and expenditure profiles once they have been developed.

Rt Hon David Lidington MP response to the Committee

Members noted a response from the UK Minister of State for Europe, Rt Hon David Lidington MP, in respect of Northern Ireland’s future engagement with the EU.

Historical Institutional Abuse

Members noted information from the Department advising that officials are unable to brief the Committee at today’s meeting on the support services for the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse and that the briefing would take place on 19 June 2013.

List of Outstanding Issues

Members noted the list of outstanding issues.

5. Correspondence

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

The Committee noted copies of correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the Department in relation to the rising cost of electricity and in relation to the Knowledge Economy Index Report.

ISNI Investing Activity Report for May 2013

Members noted a copy of ISNI Investing Activity Report for May 2013.

Committee for Education

The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the Committee for Education to the Department in relation to the Fair Employment and Treatment Order 1998.

6. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the draft forward work programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to reschedule a visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas until the autumn.

7. Any Other Business

None

8. Date, Time and Location of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in the Ballroom at the Ebrington site on Wednesday 12 June 2013 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.11 pm

Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister