Press Release

Committee Offers Its Support To The Children’s Commissioner

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister today heard for the first time from the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley.

The Commissioner briefed the Committee following a recent review of her Office and the legislation under which it operates.

Speaking after the meeting the Chairperson, Mr Danny Kennedy said:

“Children’s issues are a top priority for the Committee, which is why we have launched our first inquiry into the subject of child poverty.”

“We were therefore very pleased to have this opportunity to hear directly from the Commissioner about the work of her Office.

“The Committee recognises the important role that the Commissioner plays on behalf of children and young people and wishes to offer her our support in delivering this role effectively.”

Notes to Editors:

The Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister is one of the statutory committees established by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 May 2007.

A motion was approved in the Assembly on Tuesday 12 June 2007 proposing that the committee’s name be changed from the Committee of the Centre to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

The role of the Committee as set out in Standing Orders for the Northern Ireland Assembly is “to advise and assist the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the formulation of policy with respect to matters within their responsibilities as Ministers jointly in charge of the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister.”

Committee Membership: - 
Danny Kennedy, Chairperson 
Naomi Long, Deputy Chairperson 
Martina Anderson 
Tom Elliott 
Dolores Kelly 
Barry McElduff 
Francie Molloy 
Stephen Moutray 
Jim Shannon 
Jimmy Spratt 
Jim Wells