Deprivation targeted in new government strategy

A plan to tackle deprivation in 15 neighbourhood areas outside Belfast and Londonderry was launched today in Ballymena by Social Development Minister, John Spellar.

During a visit to the Ballykeel area of the town, the Minister published a draft implementation plan that sets out the Department for Social Development’s proposals for implementing the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy in towns and cities outside of Belfast and Londonderry.

He said: “It is unacceptable that one in seven people live in deprived conditions in our towns and cities. However, urban deprivation is not unique to Belfast and Londonderry. Other towns and cities face the same problems of poverty, unemployment, poor health and lower levels of educational attainment.

“I believe that Neighbourhood Renewal will help to transform our most deprived urban areas and provide genuine opportunities for local children to fulfil their true potential, for their parents to have a chance to share in the prosperity most of us take for granted and for the elderly to enjoy their retirement in comfort and in an absence of fear.”

The draft Implementation Plan includes detailed proposals on how the neighbourhoods will be chosen, how and by whom the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy will be implemented and what kind of schemes might be supported.

The new plan identifies 15 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in Armagh, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Bangor, Craigavon, two in Coleraine, Downpatrick, Dungannon, Limavady, Lurgan, Newry, Omagh, Portadown and Strabane.

It is also just one of three implementation plans being developed following the publication of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy last June. A draft implementation plan for Londonderry was published late last year and a draft plan for Belfast will be published shortly.

(MB)