COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE

PRESS RELEASE

27 May 2010

JUS 02/09/10

COMMITTEE TAKES DEPARTMENT TO TASK ON POLICE PENSION APPEALS DELAY

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Justice scheduled an urgent briefing with officials from the Department for Justice at its meeting today (Thursday 27 May). The call came in response to recent media attention on the issue of Police Injury Pension arrangements. The Committee was particularly concerned by the distress Officers are experiencing as a result of the assessment system and delays to their appeals on payment levels.

Committee Chairman Lord Morrow MLA, said: “The Committee is very concerned about this issue and the impact it is having on Officers’ lives. We wanted to question the Department on this and its role in the Appeals process. In particular we wanted to know why Officers have to wait so long for a decision on an appeal. Such delays are adding undue stress and worry and this is totally unacceptable.

“The Committee is not satisfied with the situation and will be urging the Minister to complete his review of the process as soon as possible, and to remain mindful of the impact on Officers already in a vulnerable and stressful situation. In the meantime the Committee has asked the Department to ensure that everything possible is done to speed up the Appeals process and we will be watching progress closely. ”

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

The Chairman of the Committee is Lord Morrow MLA.
The Deputy Chairman is Raymond McCartney MLA.
Mr Jonathan Bell MLA
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA
Mr Tom Elliott MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr John O'Dowd MLA
Mr Alastair Ross MLA

All enquiries regarding the work of the Committee should be directed to the Committee Clerk:

Christine Darrah
Room 242, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX
Telephone: (028) 9052 1629
Fax: (028) 9052 1371
E-mail: committee.justice@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to:

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 5938
Mobile: 07899 864368
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk