Northern Ireland Executive Ministerial Appointments Update

Coming on the heels of the formation of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s first ever official Opposition, the announcement of the Northern Ireland Executive Ministers and Assembly Committee Chairs provides new exciting opportunities for NIASW to champion the voice of the social work profession amongst our elected representatives. 

The formation of an Official Opposition provides a mechanism for MLAs in the non-executive parties to more adequately scrutinise the work of Ministers in the Assembly chamber. NIASW will engage with the members of the Official Opposition and non-official opposition parties to highlight its concerns in terms of NI Executive policy and encourage the opposition to hold the Executive to account on these issues.

Responsibility of the newly named Department of Health has passed from the DUP to Sinn Féin, with the Department now under the control of Minister Michelle O’Neill. A priority for NIASW will be to urge Minister O’Neill to ensure appropriate attention is afforded to the views of the social work profession in the review of Health and Social Care commissioned by her predecessor.   

Finally, Minister O’Neill’s Department will be held accountable by a Health Committee Chaired by Paula Bradley. Ms Bradley has a background in social care and NIASW will seek to build solid relationships with the Chair and members to guarantee the Committee is receptive to the views of the social work profession.