PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

17  June 2010

SD/16/09/10

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE VISITS MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development today visited the Macmillan Cancer Support Information Centre in Belfast.

The Centre provides information and help for people affected by cancer. In particular, Macmillan Cancer Support, working with advisers from the Citizens Advice Bureau, provide cancer patients and their families with financial, employment and benefits information.

Committee Chairperson, Simon Hamilton MLA said: “Everyone knows that cancer is a serious and debilitating condition. However few people are aware of the financial consequences of this disease for patients and their families. For example, the Committee was shocked to learn of the high levels of fuel poverty experienced by recovering cancer patients.

“The Committee is very happy to endorse the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Citizens Advice Bureau through the Information Centre to ensure that those affected by cancer get the benefits that they are entitled to. The Committee is also glad to give its support to the campaign to extend Winter Fuel Payments to seriously ill cancer patients throughout the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Picture: The Northern Ireland Assembly's Committee for Social Development today visited Macmillan's Advice Centre in Belfast.
Pictured (l-r) are David Hilditch MLA, Heather Monteverde, General Manager (NI) of Macmillan Cancer Unit, Mr Billy Armstrong MLA, Mr Simon Hamilton MLA Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Social Development Committee, Mickey Brady MLA and Jonathan Craig MLA.

The Committee for Social Development membership is:
Mr. Simon Hamilton MLA (Chairperson)
Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr. Billy Armstrong MLA
Mrs. Mary Bradley MLA
Mr. Mickey Brady MLA
Mr. Jonathan Craig MLA
Mr. Alex Easton MLA
Mr. Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr. David Hilditch MLA
Ms. Anna Lo MLA
Mr. Fra McCann MLA

The Clerk of the Social Development Committee is:
Peter McCallion
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 90 521864
Mobile : 07825141294
Email: peter.mccallion@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 : 078 998 64368
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk