6th September 2005
REVIEW FOCUSES ON EQUALITY ISSUES
The Chair of the panel of Independent Experts on the Review of Public Administration has said equality issues are central to the review.
Dr Tom Frawley was speaking at the "Pathways to Access and Participation" conference in the Stormont Hotel in Belfast. He said:
"This review presents a once in a generation opportunity for public services to be organised in a more accessible, innovative, fair, efficient and effective way for everyone. Equality, social need and rural issues are at the heart of this review."
Dr Frawley continued: "The consultation is coming to an end. If you have an opinion about how public services should be run in the future, please let us know before the end of September."
Speaking to the conference, Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner at the Equality Commission said:
"The work being undertaken in this review will affect the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland for at least a generation - perhaps much more. It is not, therefore, an "academic exercise", not a "working party report": rather is it a real and fundamental process towards deep-seated change.
"The Review of Public Administration offers us a very real prospect to put equality at the heart of the policy-making. This review could be an opportunity to make changes for the better in people's lives."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Over 100 delegates from a wide range of public sector organizations attended the conference.
2. Speakers included the Chief Commissioner for Equality, the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Commissioner for Public Appointments as well as representatives of Unison, Disability Action, the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, Children In Northern Ireland, Community Technical Aid, The Rural Community Network, the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister and Queens University.
3. Consultation on the Review of Public Administration ends on the 30th of September 2005. Comments can be forwarded to:
admin.rpa@rpani.gov.uk or sent to:
Review of Public Administration
McKelvey House
25 Wellington Place
Belfast BT1 6GD.
4. The consultation document can be downloaded from www.rpani.gov.uk5. Media enquiries to Áine Gaughran 07717732079 or 9027 7606
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