HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 2001 ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Dr Esmond Birnie MLA (Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr John Kelly MLA
Prof Monica McWilliams MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

In Attendance: Dr Andrew C Peoples
Mr Colin Jones
Ms Anne Colville

Apologies: Mr Mervyn Carrick (Deputy Chairman) MLA
Mr William Hay MLA
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA

Meeting opened at 9.35pm in closed session.

1. Briefing from the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Seán Farren, on his Student Finance proposals

Prior to the Minister announcing his finalised proposals in the Assembly, he briefed the Committee under three key aims:

to widen access to further and higher education in Northern Ireland, and to provide greater equality of opportunity and equity of treatment;

to increase the contribution which higher and further education make to economic development in Northern Ireland and, in particular, the enhancement of the skills base; and

to promote lifelong learning through increased participation in higher and further education.

The Minister then answered a wide range of members' questions on his proposals.

10.10 am. Prof McWilliams left the meeting.
10.20 am. Mr Kelly left the meeting.
10.30 am. Mr Dallat left the meeting.

As the meeting was non-quorate, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10.30am.

Dr Esmond Birnie
Chairperson, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment Committee

26 March 2001