Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2012/2013

Date: 05 December 2012

Venue: Room 29

2:03 pm The meeting opened in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 28 November 2012

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

2:05 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.

2:06 pm Mr Clarke and Mr Copeland entered the meeting.

3. Matters Arising

Correspondence from DETI

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr David Sterling, Accounting Officer, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment providing an update on the disqualification proceedings taken against Mrs Teresa Townsley as undertaken in the Memorandum of Reply following the Committee’s inquiry on ‘Bioscience and Technology Institute’.

2:10 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

Correspondence from Mrs Teresa Townsley

The Committee noted correspondence from Mrs Teresa Townsley relating to the disqualification proceedings taken against her by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward Mrs Townsley’s letter to the Department for its assessment on the matter raised.

Correspondence from DHSSPS

The Committee noted correspondence from Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety providing an update on the department’s progress in implementing the Regionally Managed Medical Locum Service (RMMLS) following the Committee’s inquiry on the ‘Use of Locum Doctors by NI Hospitals’.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request an oral update on the Department’s progress to the recommendations in the MOR.

Correspondence from DSD

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Will Haire, Accounting Officer, Department for Social Development providing the additional information sought by the it following its evidence session on ‘NIHE: Management of Response Maintenance Contracts’.

2:10 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the detail should be factored in to its draft report for consideration at a future meeting.

2:17 pm The meeting went into closed session.

4. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered draft copies of letters to the proposed witnesses for its forthcoming evidence session in February and March 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would be beneficial for the Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate to attend the session on 13 March 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue the invitations and further agreed to update its webpage reflecting this forward work programme.

5. Inquiry on ‘Statement of Rate Levy and Collection 2009-10 and 2010-11’

Correspondence from DFP

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Stephen Peover, Accounting Officer, Department of Finance and Personnel providing the additional information sought by the Committee following its evidence session on 24 October.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to factor the information contained in the response into its draft report which it will consider at its meeting on 12 December.

6. Issues Arising from the Oral Evidence Session on ‘PSNI: Use of Agency Staff’

The Committee considered and added to an issues paper relating to the evidence session held on 28 November 2012.

Correspondence from NIPSA

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Ryan McKinney, Assistant Secretary, NIPSA indicating its willingness to provide evidence to the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite NIPSA to provide a written submission for its consideration.

2:42 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.

2:48 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.

2:49 pm Mr McKay left the meeting.

2:53 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.

2:54 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

3:00 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

3:01 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.

3:02 pm Mr Rogers left the meeting.

3:06 pm Mr Rogers entered the meeting.

3:11 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.

3:13 pm Mr Copeland declared an interest stating that he had family members associated with the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust.

3:14 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.

7. Any other business

Effective Questioning Session

The Chairperson reminded members that its feedback session from the Legislative Strengthening Trust pilot programme would commence at 3:00 pm on 12 December 2012.

Assembly Electronic Christmas Card

The Committee agreed to send an electronic Christmas card to seven recipients in the name of the Committee and signed on its behalf by the Chairperson.