MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS,ON TUESDAY 6 JUNE 2000

PRESENT: Dr E Birnie (Chairman)
Mr M Carrick (Deputy Chairman)
Mr R Beggs (Jr)
Mr J Byrne
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr J Dallat
Mr W Hay
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr J Kelly
Professor M McWilliams
Mrs M Nelis

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs E Sung, Ms A Colville, Mr A McMaster

1. Apologies

Mrs McWilliams (for late arrival - attending Business Committee).

2. Draft minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 1 June2000

Agreed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes of proceedings 1 June 2000

(a) The Chairman has written to the Minister asking for:

  • progress reports on the Department's Strategic Plan;

  • the Department's legislative programme;

  • details of the work of the Skills Task Force;

  • the Department's new TSN Action Plan;

  • progress on the Walsh Visa Programme;

  • advice on take up of New Deal;

  • details of prospective diary engagements.

(b) Also, a separate letter requesting copies of all responses to consultation on the Student Funding Review. The Minister has written to offer a briefing.

Agreed

Dr Robson Davison should be invited to give evidence to the Committee on 15 June. The formal request for all copies of submissions should stand.

(c) Amended work programme

 Agreed

Subject to unforeseen circumstances, and except for evidence sessions, Tuesday meetings would cover routine business, and the Committee response to the Student Funding Review. Thursday meetings would, generally, be dedicated to the Committee Enquiry.

 Agreed

The current schedule of two meetings each week to be kept under review.

 Agreed

The Committee to visit East Antrim Institute mid-September onwards.

 Agreed

The draft press notice for embargo 0600hrs on 8 June.

4. Student Funding Review

 Noted

The Department has provided to the Clerk, lists of all bodies and persons to whom it provided consultation documents on the Student Review.

 Agreed

Questions about the conduct of the consultation will be raised with Dr Davison.

5. Draft Equality Scheme

 Agreed

The Chairman's draft response to be amended, to take account of submissions from Mr Carrick, Mr Hay, Mr Hutchinson, Mr Kelly and Mrs Nelis, for consideration at 13 June business meeting.

6. Estimates 2000/2001

 Noted

The Department had been asked for comparison between estimates 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. The Committee will review at 13 June meeting. All agreed the importance of Committee involvement in the Spending Review 2000.

7. New Deal

 Noted

Assembly Research will provide, for 13 June business meeting if possible, a summary of publications reviewing the effectiveness of New Deal, with particular reference to New Deal in NI.

8. Chairman's Business

(a) Media coverage

 Noted/agreed

BBC and UTV cameras filmed during the meeting, reporters present.

A briefing by the Chairman and Deputy Chairman (or other Committee member) would be arranged for the main reporters with HFETE interests.

(b) Meeting with Minister

 Noted

The Chair and Deputy Chair will meet the Minister and Permanent Secretary on 19 June. The Minister will also be invited to join a full Committee meeting to update Members on his work.

(c) Committee correspondence

 Noted.

Dr Esmond Birnie
Chairman
13 June 2000