Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 2.05 p.m.

1.  Apologies

As above.

2.  Chairperson’s Business

Integrated Education Fund

The Committee noted the invitation to attend the launch of the Integrated Education Fund’s PACT 13 in the Long Gallery, on Wednesday 1 February 2012.

ILEX

The Committee considered the invitation to attend the opening of Ebrington Square on Tuesday 14 February 2012, at 6 p.m.

Mr Molloy joined the meeting at 2.06 p.m.

Mr Nesbitt joined the meeting at 2.08 p.m.

Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that one representative from each party would attend the opening.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to undertake a visit to the Shackleton site on Wednesday 29 February 2012. Committee staff are to consider options for holding the Committee meeting on that afternoon.

Committee Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

3.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 18 January 2012 was agreed, as amended, by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Consular Association

The Committee noted a response from the Department in relation to the Consular Association of Northern Ireland.

Executive Information Service

The Committee considered a response from the Department in relation to queries on the Executive Information Service. Members requested that the Committee office forward the Early Morning Digest to Members on a daily basis.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

5.  Correspondence

Monitoring Departmental Savings Delivery Plans

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to the monitoring of Departmental Savings Delivery Plans.

Children and Young People

The Committee considered correspondence from Mr Steven Agnew MLA concerning proposed legislation to require collaboration between Government Departments and agencies in relation to services for children and young people.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite Mr Agnew MLA to brief the Committee on his proposals.

Delivery of the Sustainable Development Strategy

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a response from the Department concerning the delivery of the Sustainable Development Strategy to the Committee for the Environment.

Consultation on Plans for the Recognition of Supervision Arrangements across Europe

The Committee noted a copy of the Department of Justice’s consultation document on Plans for the Recognition of Supervision Arrangements across Europe. 

Shared Education

The Committee noted a copy of a letter from the Minister for Education, concerning shared education, to the Integrated Education Fund.

Departmental Structural

The Committee noted an up to date copy of the Department’s management structure.

Committee for Finance and Personnel

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel advising that they have invited the Northern Ireland Ombudsman to give evidence to it in relation to public procurement. 

Programme for Government Update

The Committee noted an update from the Department on the consultation on the Programme for Government. 

6.  Save the Children

Representatives from Save the Children joined the meeting at 2.23 p.m.

Mr Fergus Cooper and Ms Anne Moore briefed the Committee on child poverty in Northern Ireland. A question and answer session followed.

Mr Elliott left the meeting at 3.27 p.m.

Mr Lyttle took the Chair at 3.27 p.m.

Representatives from Save the Children left the meeting at 3.33 p.m.

The meeting moved into closed session at 3.34 p.m.

7.  Programme for Government

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would prepare a draft response on the Programme for Government for consideration at next week’s meeting.

8. Proposals to Update Legislation to Reform the Office of the Ombudsman

The Committee had a discussion in relation to the proposals to reform the Office of the Ombudsman and agreed to request further information on a number of issues.

Mr Maskey left the meeting at 4.05 p.m.

9. Any Other Business

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that the briefing from the Equality Commission on 8 February 2012 would deal with race as well as disability issues.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 2 p.m.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.10 p.m.

Mr Tom Elliott MLA

Chairperson,

Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister