HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 15 MARCH 2001 ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mrs Joan Carson MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr William Hay MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville
Ms Catherine McGrattan
Apologies:
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
Meeting opened at 2.15pm in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Approval of draft minutes of 8 March 2001
Agreed. Proposed: Mr Dallat. Seconded: Mrs Nelis.
3. Matters arising
Members considered the draft Regional Development Strategy, and noted that their initial response issued in July 2000, had focussed on mechanisms for co-ordination between departments and funding issues. It was agreed that the Clerk would draft a response for consideration at next week's meeting and would arrange a meeting between the Chairperson and the Chairperson of the Regional Development Committee, to discuss the document in more detail.
Action: Clerk
Members agreed that the Finance and Personnel Committee could request a written submission from DHFETE for their PPP/PFI Inquiry.
Members considered extracts of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee's draft Report on Strategy 2010, which were within the remit of the Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee. Members agreed that they could offer broad, qualified support for the aspirations contained in the Report as, given the tight deadline, some members had not had access to it and, in any case, the Committee reserved the right, within in its own departmental remit, to come to its own judgement on appropriate policy measures. As a result of the tight deadlines, it was agreed that the Chair could issue a reply on behalf of the Committee.
Action: Clerk
2.25pm. The meeting continued in open session.
4. Briefing from DHFETE officials on Draft Code of Practice on Access to Workers during Recognition and Derecognition Ballots
Mr Gamble and Mr Caldwell from DHFETE briefed members on the draft Code of Practice, which outlined guidance on access to workers by both employers and trade unions during a ballot to recognise or derecognise a trade union.
2.45pm. Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting.
Members agreed that the Chairperson could approve a response to the department, to include issues raised at today's meeting. The Clerk should seek a view from both the Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions and the Federation of Small Businesses on the draft Code, and would request research on the impact of union membership on economic performance. Additionally, research would be requested on the extent of trade union recognition over the past five to ten years in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Action: Clerk
Briefing from DHFETE officials on proposed Statutory Rule under Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950
Mr Gamble briefed members on the proposed Statutory Rule to benefit participants on certain New Deal Programmes by ensuring that payments made to them would not be treated as income. Participants would not then potentially lose entitlement to other passported Social Security benefits. Mr Gamble agreed to provide further information on the effect of the proposed changes on participants in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit. Members agreed that the Chairperson could approve a response to the Department.
Action: Clerk
5. Briefing from DHFETE officials on proposed Statutory Rule under Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
Members were briefed by Mr Hamill, from DHFETE, on the proposed Statutory Rule to ensure that student loans could be repaid via PAYE mechanisms. It was agreed that the Chairperson could approve a response to the department on the proposals. The Committee welcomed the broad principle to improve efficiency in the collection of repayments, but had several concerns.
Action: Clerk
3.45pm. Mrs Nelis left the meeting.
6. Chairperson's Business
The Chairperson informed members that, as requested, he had met with the Chairperson of the Education Committee to discuss the issue of basic skills, and briefed members on the main issues discussed.
Members noted that the Executive would discuss DHFETE's detailed proposals on Student Finance on Thursday 22 March, and that, subject to Executive approval of the proposals, Dr Farren had requested to meet the Committee to fully brief members on the fine detail.
It was agreed that the Minister should be asked to meet with the Committee on Thursday 22 March, as soon as possible after the Executive meeting and that the HFETE Committee meeting would start at 3.00pm to facilitate this.
Action: Clerk
7. Correspondence
Members noted a letter from the Chairperson of the Education Committee acknowledging receipt of the Terms of Reference for the "Education and Training for Industry" Inquiry, and a letter from the Review Body on Post Primary education thanking the Committee for their submission.
Members considered research on the Department of Trade and Industry's Green Paper "Work and Parents - Competitiveness and Choice." Members agreed that the Committee would not respond to the consultation process, but may examine the interaction between working conditions and family life in the future.
Members noted the Minister's response to the Committee's comments on the department's draft Public Service Agreement, which clarified several queries raised by members.
8. Any Other Business
Members noted the draft Bill to rename the Department of Higher Education, Training and Employment and agreed to seek advice from the Assembly's Legal Adviser before deciding on the way forward.
Action: Clerk
Mr Dallat raised the issue of how the Committee should deal with reports from the Northern Ireland Audit Office, which were within their remit. It was agreed that, if such reports were issued, the Clerk would liase with the Clerk of the Public Accounts Committee to determine a common approach.
Action: Clerk
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 22 March 2001 at 3.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.05pm.
Esmond Birnie
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee
22 March 2001
