AQW 41066/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 21/01/2015
Answered On Date: 04/02/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development for his assessment of the role of the Joint Government/Voluntary and Community Sector Forum.

Answer:

My assessment of the Joint Forum is very positive. I see the Joint Forum as being responsible for promoting and regularly reviewing the implementation of the Concordat between the Voluntary and Community Sector and the Northern Ireland Government. This Concordat is the formal agreement which articulates the shared vision of these social partners as we build a participative, peaceful, equitable and inclusive community in Northern Ireland.

The Joint Forum is an important partnership between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector which helps us work together to better serve the people in Northern Ireland. The Joint Forum is made up of representatives from Central and Local Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector and provides a mechanism to facilitate open discussion of key issues which shape the relationship between the Voluntary and Community sector and the Northern Ireland Government.