Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

PRESS RELEASE 

07 December 2010

COFMDFM 01/10/11

ASSEMBLY GIVES SEAL OF APPROVAL TO COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Plans to appoint a Commissioner for Older People received the seal of approval today as it passed its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Commissioner for Older People Bill has been extensively reviewed by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). Following the Committee’s work on the Bill during the Committee Stage the Department for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister suggested a number of amendments which the Committee supported.

Committee Chairperson, Tom Elliott, MLA said: “The appointment of a Commissioner for Older People will be of great significance. The Committee has taken much interest in this Bill and is pleased to see the Bill receive the support of the Assembly.

“The Committee took evidence from many different interested groups and gave a lot of consideration to what roles and powers the Commissioner should have. The Committee is content that the Commissioner will have the appropriate powers to be able to help tackle the many issues facing older people today.”

ENDS

Committee Membership

Tom Elliott, MLA, Chairperson
Dr. Stephen Farry, MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Martina Anderson, MLA
Alan Bresland, MLA
William Humphrey MLA
Dolores Kelly, MLA
Danny Kinahan MLA
Barry McElduff , MLA
Francie Molloy, MLA
George Robinson, MLA
Jimmy Spratt, MLA

For further information, or to arrange an interview or photo opportunity, please contact:

Jennifer Pleavin
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 1606
Mobile: 07502 379339
Email: jennifer.pleavin@niassembly.gov.uk

Sinead Murphy
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 1953
Mobile : 07825 146794
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk