18 December 2006	PN 15/06

COMMITTEE QUESTIONS ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY

The Transitional Assembly’s Committee on the Programme For Government met today and received a briefing on the Government’s recently published Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion strategy for Northern Ireland – Lifetime Opportunities - from officials of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

The adoption of a strategy to tackle poverty and social inclusion is a statutory duty for a restored Executive. While welcoming the publication of the strategy, members were concerned at how it will be delivered and questioned the officials closely on this. The Committee agreed to return to this important issue at future meetings. In the interim, the Committee will seek written views from interested individuals and groups on the strategy and on related priorities for a restored Executive.

Jim Wells MLA, who chaired today’s meeting, said "Anti-poverty and social inclusion will be cross-cutting considerations in many of the decisions of a restored Executive and it is important that there is a properly resourced strategy in place that can deliver. Only then will all stakeholders, statutory, voluntary and community, accept their full responsibilities so that all sections of the community benefit from increased prosperity."

The Committee also agreed to place an advertisement in newspapers seeking views from interested individuals and groups on the priorities relating to Victims and Survivors that should feature in a future Programme for Government. The advertisement will be placed within the next few days.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

On 24 November 2006, following a direction from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, the Business Committee established a Programme for Government Committee to consider the priorities for a new Executive and to make preparations for restoration. The Secretary of State directed that the Committee should, initially, be chaired by the deputy presiding officers, Mr Jim Wells and Mr Francie Molloy.

Information about today’s meeting can be obtained from the
the Information Officer -

Mr Paddy Price
Information Office
Room B2
Parliament Buildings
Belfast
028 90 521137