Eileen Bell - childrens commissioner soon!

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Jul 2000

Eileen Bell Assembly Member commenting on today's statement by Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Ms Bairbre de Brun, MLA said:

I congratulate the minister on a very comprehensive and important statement in particular I welcome her idea of setting up a 'Children Matter' task force and I hope we will receive further information on that subject in the near future.

As the minister stated assembly members have been concerned about the low priority of children's services and plans have been made to set up a Children's Issues all Party Group.

At its last party conference the Alliance Party supported the campaign for a Children's Commissioner to prioritise all aspects of children's issues. I hope this task force will be the first step in the consideration of this very important appointment.

ENDS.