THIRTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEEAT 2.00PM IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS,ON THURSDAY 18 JANUARY 2001
Present: Dr E Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr M Carrick MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr R Beggs MLA
Mr J Byrne MLA
Mrs J Carson MLA
Mr J Dallat MLA
Mr W Hay MLA
Mr R Hutchinson MLA
Mr J Kelly MLA
Mrs M Nelis MLA
Mrs M McWilliams MLA
In Attendance: Dr A Peoples (Clerk)
Mr C Jones (Assistant Clerk)
Miss A Colville
Mrs C McGrattan
Meeting opened at 2:05pm in public session.
None.
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 11 January 2001
Agreed.
Proposed: John Dallat. Seconded: Joe Byrne.
3.1 Correspondence
The Committee noted theChair's letters to the Minister and the Association of University Teachers, in connection with the possible application of the three-year Blunkett package to Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed a further reply to
to Patrick Murphy (Director of BIFHE), regarding a proposed Committee visit, stating that a visit to BIFHE was unlikely before Easter, but that the Committee would give this a high priority after the Easter Recess.
Action: Clerk.
Advice from the Clerk to the Finance and Personnel Committee on the procedures for calling either the Minister for Finance and Personnel, or the Chairman of that Committee, was also considered.
3.2 Research on Student Support for Childcare Costs
Agreed to obtain additional information on:
whether maintenance payments to students with dependant children were included in the calculation of their disposable income, when these payments were intended for the upkeep of children; and
whether students studying A-levels at grammar school, whose parents were in receipt of Social Security benefits, qualified for free school meals, when those studying in similar circumstances at Further Education Colleges did not.
Action: Clerk.
3.3 Draft Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted that the proposed study visit to Denmark had been rescheduled for late February 2001. It was also proposed that the evidence sessions with Craigavon, and Newry and Mourne, District Councils would be held away from Parliament Buildings.
Clerk to enquire on the possibility of an evidence session on the success of Regional Technical Colleges in the Republic of Ireland. Clerk to contact Boston College and officials on the Transition Programme to determine whether a 7-day programme could be set up in June, based broadly on the priorities for the Committee's enquiry.
Clerk would continue to liase with the Editor of the Economic Outlook and Business Review regarding the article on the Committee's inquiry.
Action: Clerk.
4. Chairman's Business
4.1 Minister's Letter of 16 January
The Minister had stated the position on several priority issues, but had not yet given a date to meet with the Committee. He had asked to meet informally with the Chair and Deputy Chair next week.
Mr Kelly asked for this meeting to be minuted. However, the consensus was that this would change the dynamics of the meeting, and that it should take place informally, with the Chairman giving feedback to members next week. The informal meeting was not to be a substitute for the Minister coming to Committee at a later stage.
Mrs McWilliams asked that the Chairman should enquire when Members would receive detailed replies to questions raised during the recent debate on Student Debt. She also expressed disappointment that the Minister would not give way to Members during his remarks.
The Clerk would contact the Department asking for a definite date for the Minister to meet with the Committee, and for early sight of the draft Public Service Agreement.
Action: Clerk.
4.2 National Training Organisations
Research on the role of National Training Organisations would be obtained, prior to the Committee examining DfEE's consultation document on developing their role in the United Kingdom.
Action: Clerk.
4.3 Industrial Action
Further information to be obtained on the current work to rule of National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education staff in Northern Ireland.
Action: Clerk.
5. Evidence from the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council
As part of their continuing inquiry into "Education and Training for Industry," Members heard evidence from the following officials from NIHEC:
Sir Kenneth Bloomfield (Chairman)
John Coote (Director)
Richard Holmes (Deputy Director)
Norman Morrison (Member)
In response to members' questions, officials gave their views on:
higher education and business partnerships, especially with SMEs;
the future expansion of higher education places to meet the demand;
the development of "transferable skills" by HE establishments;
Foundation Degrees;
the extent of any shortfall in IT graduates;
models for Councils of tertiary education;
improvements in the co-ordination of funding of university research and development; and
the background to the Higher Education Reach Out to Business in the Community initiative.
The Committee heard evidence from officials from both the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on two Statutory Rules received for scrutiny, and also considered the relevant report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Agreed.
The Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 379/2000, "Individual Learning Accounts Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000," and has no objection to the Rule.
The Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee has considered Statutory Rule 371/2000, "Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2000," and has no objection to the Rule.
7.1 Review of the Legislative Process in the Assembly
Draft a response to the Committee on Procedures' review, for consideration at the next meeting.
Action: Clerk.
7.2 Debate on Employment Protection Rights
Briefing material for the debate on employment protection rights, scheduled for Tuesday 23 January 2001, would be provided for members.
Action: Clerk.
7.3 Press Notice
A Press Notice for next week's evidence session with the Open University was agreed for issue.
7.4 Correspondence from DFP Minister
Minister Durkan's letter to Mrs McWilliams on the 2001/02 Budget, with particular reference to the £63m allocation for New Deal, would be considered at the next meeting.
7.5 Date of Next Meeting
On Thursday 25 January at 2:00 pm, to include evidence from representatives from the Open University.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm.
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairman, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee
25 January 2001.
