Sinn Féin meets Children's Commissioner

Sinn Féin Children and Young People's spokesperson, West Belfast Cllr Sue Ramsey and Equality Spokesperson, Upper Bann representative Dara O'Hagan, were positive after meeting with the new Commissioner for Children and Young People, Nigel Williams, on Monday in Belfast.

"Nigel Williams has made a big impact," said Ramsey. "Now it is important that we see change on the ground, particularly in the way the services for children and young people are provided.

"Sinn Féin has also voiced concerns that the remit of the commissioner does not allow him to deal properly with the issue of juvenile justice.

"If we are to effectively champion the rights of children and young people, then the commissioner must also be a position to impact directly on decisions that will affect the lives of children. This must include the ability to impact on cross-departmental decisions.

O‚Hagan added: "It is also vital that the commissioner has a role in tackling child poverty. Only last week the report in Low Income Families highlighted the fact that 37% of children are now at risk from low income and poverty and this will have consequential implications on their future."