Menu
23/03/2011
'Anti-Poverty' Funding Announced
The Executive has announced the establishment of an £80million Social Investment Fund aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.
The Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) say the fund will be an integrated approach to enhance economic growth, employability and the sustainability of communities.
It will involve setting up economic enterprise zones in deprived areas across Northern Ireland.
First Minister Peter Robinson commented: "Despite the significant progress made in the last number of years towards prosperity, stability and peace there remains sections of the community that have not fully benefited from these changes. Given the current economic and fiscal situation there is a real risk that deprivation will continue, and may increase unless interventions are put in place.”
He continued: "Tackling these issues will require interventions of significant scale to be delivered in partnership with communities on a cross departmental basis. The fund will reduce poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration.
"The fund also recognises that deprivation occurs across a number of areas. We have therefore identified eight possible Investment zones upon which we will seek to consult widely."
Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said that the most immediate and effective way out of deprivation is through quality employment.
He added: "However there are substantial structural, historic, geographical and social barriers to employment and full participation in the economy for deprived communities.
It is recognised that to have a long term impact on issues of economic and social disadvantage government responses need to break from a silo approach, where responses operate independently of each other and replace this with an interdisciplinary approach coordinated across all government departments by OFMDFM."
OFMDFM intend to put out a paper on the proposal for consultation soon.
(JG/GK)
The Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) say the fund will be an integrated approach to enhance economic growth, employability and the sustainability of communities.
It will involve setting up economic enterprise zones in deprived areas across Northern Ireland.
First Minister Peter Robinson commented: "Despite the significant progress made in the last number of years towards prosperity, stability and peace there remains sections of the community that have not fully benefited from these changes. Given the current economic and fiscal situation there is a real risk that deprivation will continue, and may increase unless interventions are put in place.”
He continued: "Tackling these issues will require interventions of significant scale to be delivered in partnership with communities on a cross departmental basis. The fund will reduce poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration.
"The fund also recognises that deprivation occurs across a number of areas. We have therefore identified eight possible Investment zones upon which we will seek to consult widely."
Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said that the most immediate and effective way out of deprivation is through quality employment.
He added: "However there are substantial structural, historic, geographical and social barriers to employment and full participation in the economy for deprived communities.
It is recognised that to have a long term impact on issues of economic and social disadvantage government responses need to break from a silo approach, where responses operate independently of each other and replace this with an interdisciplinary approach coordinated across all government departments by OFMDFM."
OFMDFM intend to put out a paper on the proposal for consultation soon.
(JG/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2002
Interface areas receive millions to combat legacy of conflict
Some of the province’s most deprived areas are set to benefit from a £12 million funding package to help tackle the legacy of Northern Ireland’s thirty years of conflict. Twelve communities, including interface areas in east and west Belfast are to receive in the region of £1 million to promote urban regeneration.
Interface areas receive millions to combat legacy of conflict
Some of the province’s most deprived areas are set to benefit from a £12 million funding package to help tackle the legacy of Northern Ireland’s thirty years of conflict. Twelve communities, including interface areas in east and west Belfast are to receive in the region of £1 million to promote urban regeneration.
09 August 2002
Minister visits deprived estate in line for funding boost
Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds has visited a disadvantaged Coleraine estate which is to benefit from a £1 million investment by the European Union’s Peace II initiative. Mr Dodds visited the Ballysally neighbourhood, which is one of 12 disadvantaged areas around Northern Ireland being targeted by the EU funding package.
Minister visits deprived estate in line for funding boost
Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds has visited a disadvantaged Coleraine estate which is to benefit from a £1 million investment by the European Union’s Peace II initiative. Mr Dodds visited the Ballysally neighbourhood, which is one of 12 disadvantaged areas around Northern Ireland being targeted by the EU funding package.
12 June 2024
Latest Health Inequalities Annual Report Is Essential Reading - Nesbitt
Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has said that the newest Health Inequalities Annual Report is essential reading for all sectors of public life in Northern Ireland. The newly published document provides the latest details of persistent disparities between the most and least deprived areas.
Latest Health Inequalities Annual Report Is Essential Reading - Nesbitt
Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has said that the newest Health Inequalities Annual Report is essential reading for all sectors of public life in Northern Ireland. The newly published document provides the latest details of persistent disparities between the most and least deprived areas.
10 March 2011
Critics Track Cycle Helmets Bill
Controversial draft legislation on the use of cycle helmets could have a particularly harsh impact on children from socially deprived areas. That's the news that will be given to the Assembly's Environment Committee at a planned consultation meeting in Londonderry's Everglades Hotel today.
Critics Track Cycle Helmets Bill
Controversial draft legislation on the use of cycle helmets could have a particularly harsh impact on children from socially deprived areas. That's the news that will be given to the Assembly's Environment Committee at a planned consultation meeting in Londonderry's Everglades Hotel today.
06 March 2009
£640k For Deprived NI Communities
Some of Northern Ireland's most most deprived communities have been awarded a significant financial boost from the Stormont Government. Around £640,000 is being made available for 17 communities across Northern Ireland in the coming year, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said.
£640k For Deprived NI Communities
Some of Northern Ireland's most most deprived communities have been awarded a significant financial boost from the Stormont Government. Around £640,000 is being made available for 17 communities across Northern Ireland in the coming year, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
