Official Report (Hansard)

Members present for all or part of the proceedings: 
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson 
Mr Tom Elliott 
Mrs Dolores Kelly 
Mr Ian McCrea 
Mr Barry McElduff 
Mr Francie Molloy 
Mr Stephen Moutray 
Mr Jim Shannon 
Mr Jimmy Spratt

Witnesses:
The junior Minister (Mr Donaldson) )
The junior Minister (Mr G Kelly) ) Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 
Mr Gerry Mulligan ) 
Mr Michael Pollock

The Deputy Chairperson (Mrs Long):

The two junior Ministers will brief the Committee on the Executive’s response to the child poverty report and provide further information on the Lifetime Opportunities strategy. Following that briefing and questions, the junior Ministers will brief the Committee on the safeguarding children statement.

A paper has been tabled that highlights some areas on which members may want to seek further information. The members’ packs contain copies of the Executive’s response and further information and correspondence concerning the Lifetime Opportunities strategy.

I invite the junior Ministers to join us. They are accompanied by Dr Gerry Mulligan and Mr Michael Pollock. Also in attendance are the junior Ministers’ special advisers — Emma Little and Ciaran Quinn. You are welcome to this afternoon’s Committee meeting. I invite you to make an opening statement, which will be followed by questions.

The junior Minister (Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister) (Mr Donaldson):