Rooker appointed as children’s minister in Northern Ireland

Jeff Rooker has been appointed as minister for children in
Northern Ireland, secretary of state Peter Hain announced today,
writes Clare Jerrom.

Rooker spent his first day in the role visiting children at
Playboard’s Play Day in People’s Park, Ballymena.

The minister said he would be bringing a new emphasis within
government on young people’s issues and confirmed he would be
establishing a Children and Young People’s Advisory
Forum.

“This forum will articulate the views on behalf of
children and young people throughout Northern Ireland,” he
said. “It will focus on many issues that matter most to them
by identifying problems and presenting solutions.”

“They will have an important role in helping government to
develop a range of policies, and I will listen carefully to what
they will be advocating,” he added.

Playboard is the lead agency for the development of Children and
Young People’s play in Northern Ireland.