2440 search results for: current issues

Basic Skills Still a Problem for Many Adults

One in four adults here has significant problems with reading and maths, and current programmes do not fully their meet needs.

19 June 2014

The Committee for the Environment met at 10.00am on Thursday 19 June in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, when it received a briefing from the Minister for the Environment on current issues. This was followed by a briefing on its Inquiry into Wind Energy from representatives of the Utility Regulator and Northern Ireland Electricity, and finally a briefing from Full Circle Power on the Proposed Energy Park.

05 November 2014

The Committee for Finance and Personnel met on Wednesday 5 November 2014 at 10:00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings. The Committee was briefed by representatives from the Payments Council on the Current Account Switch Service before considering a written briefing from the Consumer Council on the Financial Institutions and Impacts on Consumers. The Committee was then briefed by Departmental officials: firstly on the outcome of October Monitoring Round; and secondly on the Executive's Draft Budget 2015-16: Strategic Issues.

Department of Finance and Personnel- Public Expenditure: 2014-15 Provisional Out-turn and 2015-16 June Monitoring Technical Issues

European Commission Legislative Proposals 2011

This table provides details of the European Commission Legislative Proposals 2011. This includes the estimated date of adoption, current stage of progress, perceived relevance to Northern Ireland, and the indicative date of when the Committee can become involved. This table also highlights where any subsidiarity issues have been identified.

Charities Bill

This Bill Paper has been prepared to inform consideration of the Charities Bill. It provides background to the Bill’s introduction and content, including comparison with current law in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, and highlights potential issues for consideration.

Legislation and guidance governing the ownership of archaeological archives

Archaeological archives can be described as the artefacts and records which derive from archaeological excavation or survey work. The following is a summary of current issues regarding the ownership of archaeological archives in Northern Ireland, along with comparisons with other jurisdictions.

Costs and efficiencies: supporting evidence

This paper provides a brief overview regarding several issues that arose in relation to the Budget where the HSSPS Committee requested further information. These are considered particularly in relation to Northern Ireland and include: Current levels and cost of obesity; Reducing unnecessary hospitalisation; Cost savings from patient reminder systems using mobile phone text messaging; Reducing health costs in the pharmaceutical sector; Alternatives to agency staff; and DHSSPS bid concerning pay award of £250 for staff earning under 21K.

Forthcoming Executive Draft Budget 2017-18: Assembly Consideration

This Briefing Paper aims to facilitate the Assembly in fulfilling its roles and responsibilities in relation to the forthcoming Executive Draft Budget 2017-18. Despite the current limited availability of departmental information and data, the Paper provides context and potential issues for Assembly consideration via its Members and statutory committees.

Internal Market Act 2020 and the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland

Within the current unsettled context, and from a layperson’s perspective, this paper seeks to explain how provisions contained in the Internal Market Act 2020 (the “IMA”) and the “Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland” appear to relate to each other; while also highlighting their relevance to the work of the Committee for Finance. Throughout, potential issues for consideration are provided, to support the Committee when discharging its advisory and scrutiny roles.

Gender budgeting in government: a comparative perspective on legal bases

On request, this briefing paper was prepared for the Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights (the "Committee"), to examine legal bases underpinning current uses of gender budgeting in government, in particular a constitutional basis. To provide such a comparative perspective, the paper draws on the experience of individual countries belonging to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Throughout, potential issues are identified, aiming to help inform the Committee's future consideration in this area.

Introduction to Community Meals

Current community care policy stresses the importance of maintaining people in their own home for as long as possible. Community meals form a part of the services that may be provided by the HSC Trusts to assist with this aim. This paper discusses who provides community meals in Northern Ireland and the number of clients receiving these meals. It explores the broader issues around community meals and reviews approaches by other jurisdictions to providing food and nutrition for older people.

Committee Hears From Rural Community On Anti-Poverty And Social Inclusion

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development held a special event to gather views and ideas from rural dwellers and representatives on its current review of the Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Programme.

Public expenditure on education

This briefing paper aims to inform the Committee’s consideration of public expenditure available for the delivery of education in Northern Ireland (NI) during the current and next financial years. In particular, it examines: the in-year position for this financial year (2021-22), following the outcome of the January Monitoring Round; and, the 2022-25 funding position, given the current status of the draft Executive Budget 2022-25. The Paper seeks to support the Committee’s consideration in the noted areas, including potential issues meriting Committee attention.

Gender budgeting in government: a comparative perspective on legal bases

On request, this briefing paper was prepared for the Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights (the "Committee"), to examine legal bases underpinning current uses of gender budgeting in government, in particular a constitutional basis. To provide such a comparative perspective, the paper draws on the experience of individual countries belonging to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Throughout, potential issues are identified, aiming to help inform the Committee's future consideration in this area.

Gender budgeting in government: a comparative perspective on legal bases

On request, this briefing paper was prepared for the Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights (the "Committee"), to examine legal bases underpinning current uses of gender budgeting in government, in particular a constitutional basis. To provide such a comparative perspective, the paper draws on the experience of individual countries belonging to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Throughout, potential issues are identified, aiming to help inform the Committee's future consideration in this area.

Influenza Vaccination

This briefing paper provides an introduction to the subject of influenza vaccination. It gives an overview of the operation of the annual vaccination programme in Northern Ireland and then looks at selected issues related to influenza vaccination. These include influenza vaccination uptake in the UK, vaccination effectiveness and cost effectiveness of vaccination. The detailed science behind measuring influenza vaccination effectiveness is complex and is touched on in the briefing. The briefing acknowledges the work that is underway in improved influenza vaccine development for the future and highlights that in the interim support will remain for current influenza vaccines as a mainstay in the reduction of influenza morbidity.

Committee Investigates Tree Disease with Key Visits

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recently saw first-hand the issues surrounding tree disease with a visit to Belfast Harbour and Woodburn Forest.

Agriculture Committee Raises Concerns for Industry

Members of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met with Westminster MPs and the Groceries Code Adjudicator to raise issues of concern to local farmers.

Committee Review to Focus on Better Regulation for Farmers

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has launched an Inquiry into ‘Better Regulation’. The Committee will examine the current regulatory framework within the agricultural industry and seek ways to reduce the administrative and regulatory burden on farmers.