Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 2.07 p.m.        

Apologies

As above

1.  Chairperson’s Business

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety thanking the Chairperson for participating in the “Youth Talks” event to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and the Chairperson reported on the event.

SEUPB Consultation

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule evidence from a number of organisations in relation to SEUPB’s consultation on the future of PEACE and INTERREG funding post 2013 into the Forward Work Programme.

Ombudsman Legislative Proposals

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule in consideration of responses to the Committee’s Ombudsman legislative proposals at its meeting of 24 October 2012. The Committee agreed to write to the Department to advise that the Committee is considering this issue on 24 October and to request that a response is issued in advance of that meeting.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.13 p.m.

List of Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

2.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 3 October 2012, as amended, was agreed by the Committee.

3. Matters Arising

Community Relations Council Budget

The Committee noted a response from the Department to Danny Kinahan MLA in relation to the Community Relations Council Budget for 2012/13.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

4. Correspondence

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding its Report into Developing the Northern Ireland Economy through Innovation, Research and Development.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in relation to delivery on foot of the Department’s response to the Committee’s recommendations. 

Administrative Justice Terms of Reference Working Group

The Committee considered correspondence from the Director of Investigations for the Northern Ireland Ombudsman in relation to accessing submissions received by the Committee on updating the Ombudsman legislation – access is requested to inform the work of the Administrative Justice Terms of Reference Working Group.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Director of Investigations to approach the relevant organisations for permission.

Committee for the Environment

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Environment to the Department regarding EU proposals for vehicle testing.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department.

Written Ministerial Statement – Delivering Social Change Framework

The Committee noted a copy of the Written Ministerial Statement announcing the Delivering Social Change Signature Projects.

Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.21 p.m.

5.  The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill   

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department in relation to the facilities for victims and survivors at the Inquiry’s office. The Committee also considered a research paper on the termination of statutory inquiries.

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.29 p.m.

Departmental officials Ms Maggie Smith, Mrs Cathy McMullan and Mr Michael Harkin briefed the Committee on the amendments the Department will be bringing forward in response to the Committee’s requests at last week’s meeting. Departmental officials also briefed the Committee on other amendments it would be bringing forward.

Agreed:The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request that it consider providing for the Inquiry to make recommendations in relation to changes to law, practice and procedure to prevent future abuse, by way of a specific additional category of recommendation in the Terms of Reference.  

Agreed: The Committee agreed to postpone formal clause-by-clause decision making on the Bill until 17 October 2012.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.24 p.m.

Mr Maskey left the meeting at 3.24 p.m.

6.  Social Investment Fund  

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.25 p.m.

Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 3.56 p.m.

Mr Paul Givan left the meeting at 4.14 p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Henry Johnston and Mr Ricky Irwin provided the Committee with an update on the roll-out of the Social Investment Fund. A question and answer session followed.

Officials also provided further information in relation to the Written Ministerial Statement announcing the Delivering Social Change Signature Projects.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request clarification regarding political parties nominees to  the Social Investment Fund Steering Groups.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.27 p.m.

7. Any Other Business

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 17 October 2012 at 2 p.m.

The  Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.28 p.m. 

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