Senator Sam Mézec appointed as first Minister for Children and Housing

03 July 2018

The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, has signed a Ministerial Decision confirming his intention to appoint Senator Sam Mézec to the newly established role of Minister for Children and Housing.

The creation of this role signals the government’s commitment to take urgent action to ensure that all children and young people in Jersey are provided with the best quality of care, protection and support.

The order, which has been presented today, renames the Minister for Housing as the Minister for Children and Housing.

This provides for the Minister to be responsible for promoting the well-being of children, in addition to the responsibilities of the Minister relating to housing, which are unaffected.

Senator Le Fondré commented: “I am delighted to confirm my intention to appoint Senator Mézec to the role of Children’s Minister, which I announced in my nomination speech on 4 June. As he is already the Minister for Housing I have proposed to create a new role of Minister for Children and Housing. Providing the best quality of care, protection and support to all children and young people in our community is our priority and I am certain that Senator Mézec, as Minister for Children and Housing, will ensure the well-being of children is at the heart of this new role.”

Senator Mézec thanked the Chief Minister for his words, adding: “I am delighted and proud to be appointed as the first Minister for Children and Housing. It is a significant role and so important for Jersey’s children and young people to have a voice in the Council of Ministers. I will be that voice in government and work to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people to ensure that they are not being failed, while at the same time remain committed to ensuring Islanders’ housing needs remain high on the Council of Ministers’ agenda.”