AQW 49566/11-16 Written question to the Minister for Social Development

To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the ministerial decisions he has taken since 10 September 2015.

Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 7 October 2015

Answered
Written

Tabled: 7 October 2015
Answer due by: 22 October 2015
Answered: 22 October 201515 days after tabling
Department: Department for Communities
Priority question: No

Answer

I refer the Member to information laid out in the table below:

Date	Subject	Decision
16 September	State Pension changes: Communication/Advertising Briefing on the new social housing regulatory framework to the Social Development Committee Supporting People Review Finlock Guttering	Agreed to the launch of the Communication campaign to highlight changes to State Pension. Cleared the briefing to be provided to the Committee. Approved the release of the review report and recommendations to key stakeholders to seek their views. Agreed to support a bid for budget to allow NIHE to begin removal of this guttering in Ballysillan/Silverstream.
23 September	Regional Infrastructure Programme and Development Trusts NI Implications of Westminster Summer Budget Proposals Social Security (DLA) Amendment Regulations Mortgage Rescue Scheme (MRS) NIHE Board Appointments	Agreed to continue funding for 6 months from April 2016. Agreed to release communications to stakeholders, including the Social Development Committee. Agreed these be made. Agreed for officials to continue examining the feasibility of introducing a MRS in Northern Ireland. In line with the Code of Practice for Public Appointments, appointed four NI Housing Council members to the Board of the NIHE effective from 01/11/2015.
30 September	Voluntary Exit Scheme Credit Unions Finance	Agreed to write to staff. Agreement for Chief Executive, SSA to meet with Irish League of Credit Unions and Ulster Federation of Credit Unions. Noted a draft departmental return to DFP on capital expenditure, which was subject to further consideration by senior managers. He agreed the return could be issued to DFP to meet the deadline.
7 October	Community Asset Transfer Tenancy Fraud Capital Budget 2016/17 SDC Information Request SSA Changes Written AQs	Agreed a response to Minister O’Dowd on the way forward for a Community Asset Transfer proposal for a former Primary School in Belfast. Agreed the release of information to the Committee. Noted the content of the Department’s return to DFP. Noted and agreed information to be provided to SDC. Agreement for officials to write to the Social Development Committee advising of some operational arrangements after internal communication with relevant staff. Clearance of a range of outstanding Written AQs.

Official sources