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PRESS RELEASE

1 December 2010

F&P 01/10/11

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE WELCOMES PLANNED INCREASE IN RATES RELIEF FOR CARERS

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Finance and Personnel has welcomed the Finance Minister’s decision to increase rates relief given to carers.

The increase comes after lobbying from the Committee to the Finance and Personnel Minister and will be implemented under the low income rate relief scheme which will be increased by 20% for all carers.

Deputy Committee Chairperson, David McNarry MLA, said: “The Committee welcomes the detailed consideration that the Minister has given to this issue over recent months following representations by this Committee.

“The Minister had previously agreed to consider raising the extra rates relief for pensioner carers, and the Committee is heartened to learn that he has now taken the decision to extend this to all carers, regardless of their age. While the reduction in the rates bills might be modest, it will nonetheless be welcomed by the 2,500 carers who will benefit from this measure.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Committee for Finance and Personnel is one of the statutory committees established by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 9 May 2007.

As per paragraph 9 of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement, Statutory Committees have the power to:

• consider and advise on departmental budgets and annual plans in the context of the overall budget allocation;
• approve relevant secondary legislation and take the Committee stage of relevant primary legislation;
• call for persons and papers;
• initiate inquiries and make reports; and,
• consider and advise on matters brought to the Committee by its Minister.

Committee Members:

Jennifer McCann (Chairperson) (Sinn Fein)
David McNarry (Deputy Chairperson) (UUP)
Dr Stephen Farry ( Alliance)
Paul Frew (DUP)
Paul Girvan (DUP)
Simon Hamilton (DUP)
Daithí McKay (Sinn Fein)
Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Fein)
Adrian McQuillan (DUP)
Declan O’Loan (SDLP)
Dawn Purvis (PUP)

Further information on the work of the Committee is available on the Committee pages of the Northern Ireland Assembly website: archive.niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries should be addressed to:

Debra Savage
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Telephone 028 9052 1405
Mobile : 07920 864221
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk