Committee takes evidence from Commissioners on child poverty

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister today took evidence from Patricia Lewsley, the Children’s Commissioner and Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into Child Poverty.

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

“The Committee has been consulting widely with stakeholders in the field over the last number of months to inform its inquiry into child poverty. Over that period the Committee has amassed very useful information that will inform the Committee in its deliberations on child poverty. Today’s session with the Children’s Commissioner and the Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission will help inform the Committee’s considerations and concludes the Committee’s consultation with wider stakeholders”

“After Easter, the Committee will commence the next stage of the inquiry, which is to take evidence from a number of Government Departments, including the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.”