PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

21 February 2008

SD No 02/08

Social Development Committee Socialise!

The Assembly Committee for Social Development hosted a reception to meet and discuss topics with a number of groups that have an interest in aspects of social development.

The informal reception, which was held in Parliament Buildings, had a social atmosphere with each group given ten minutes (due to the numbers involved) to raise and discuss issues with Committee Members.

Mr Gregory Campbell, Chairperson of the Committee, explained the reason for the reception:

“The Social Development Committee has received a large number of requests from groups wishing to meet the Committee. We welcome the opportunity to engage with such groups but the list of groups waiting to meet with us on an individual basis was growing. In order to see as many as possible, and hear a wide range of issues, the Committee decided to host this reception which we believe will be of great benefit to both the groups and the Committee.”

Each of the groups provided a one page summary of their issues and concerns and will be followed-up by the Committee after the reception if appropriate.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The groups meeting the Committee are:
Chartered Institute of Housing in NI
Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI
Galliagh Community Development Group
Ilex Urban Regeneration Company
Newry & Mourne Downs Syndrome Parent Support Group
Northern Ireland Alternatives
Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association Limited
Royal Mail Group
SOS Bus NI
Sustainable Energy Building Forum
Waterside Area Partnership Limited

Committee Membership: Mr Gregory Campbell MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Mr David Hilditch (DUP) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Mickey Brady (SF); Mr Thomas Burns (SDLP); Mr Fred Cobain (UUP); Mr Jonathan Craig (DUP); Ms Anna Lo (ALL); Mr Alban Maginness (SDLP); Mr Fra McCann (SF); Mrs Claire McGill (SF); Miss Michelle McIlveen (DUP).

Media enquiries should be directed to Sinead Lee, Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.
Tel No: 02890-521137/521396. Fax: 02890 521961.
Website Address – archive.niassembly.gov.uk
Email: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk

Committee for Social Development meets representatives of the Chartered Institute of Housing in NI

Pictured: Grainia Long of the Chartered Institute of Housing in NI meets withmembers of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are Thomas Burns MLA, Anna Lo MLA, Mickey Brady MLA and Committee Chairperson Gregory Campbell MLA (all seated)

Committee for Social Development meets members of the Federation of Retail Licensed Trade NI

Pictured: Jonathan Craig MLA, Thomas Burns MLA, Anna Lo MLA, Mickey Brady MLA and Committee Chairperson Gregory Campbell MLA (all seated) meet with Stephen Magorrian, Allison Offor and Stephen Reynolds of the Federation of Retail Licensed Trade NI.

Committee for Social Development meets Galliagh Community Development Group representative

Pictured: Frank Rafferty of Galliagh Community Development Group meets withmembers of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are David Hilditch MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Alban Maginness MLA, Fra McCann MLA and Claire McGill MLA.

Committee for Social Development meets Ilex Urban Regeneration Company representative

Pictured: Brenda Fraser of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company meets withmembers of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are Jonathan Craig MLA, Thomas Burns MLA, Anna Lo MLA, Mickey Brady MLA and Committee Chairperson Gregory Campbell MLA

Committee for Social Development meets members of the Newry & Mourne Downs Syndrome Parent Support Group

Pictured: (L-R)Mairead Robb, Deirdre Donnan and Karen Savage of the Newry & Mourne Downs Syndrome Parent Support Group meet with members of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are David Hilditch MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Alban Maginness MLA and Claire McGill MLA.

Committee for Social Development meets members of the NI Co-ownership Housing Association Limited

Pictured: David Hilditch MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Alban Maginness MLA, Fra McCann MLA and Claire McGill MLA (all seated) meet with Nicola Carruthers and David McCallum of the NI Co-ownership Housing Association Limited.

Committee for Social Development meets Royal Mail Group representatives

Pictured: Sheila McCann, Barbara Roulston and Arthur Magee (Royal Mail Group)meets withmembers of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are David Hilditch MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Alban Maginness MLA, Fra McCann MLA and Claire McGill MLA

Committee for Social Development meets SOS Bus NI representative

Pictured: Jonathan Patton of SOS Bus NI meets with members of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are Jonathan Craig MLA, Thomas Burns MLA and Anna Lo MLA.

Committee for Social Development meets representatives of the Sustainable Energy Building Forum

Pictured: John Hardy and Connaire McGreevy of the Sustainable Energy Building Forum meets with members of the Committee for Social Development. The Assembly members pictured are Jonathan Craig MLA, Thomas Burns MLA, Anna Lo MLA, Mickey Brady MLA and Committee Chairperson Gregory Campbell MLA (all seated).

Committee for Social Development meets representatives of the Waterside Area Partnership Ltd

Pictured: Kathryn Rough and Hilary McClintock of the Waterside Area Partnership Ltd are pictured talking with members of the Committee for Social Development (not pictured).