New scheme launched to tackle deprivation in Belfast

A plan to tackle deprivation in 11 neighbourhoods across Belfast has been launched today by the Department for Social Development.

The areas that will benefit from the new Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy in Belfast are: Inner East Belfast; South West Belfast; Outer West Belfast; Greater Shankill; Lower Falls/Clonard; Crumlin/Ardoyne; Inner North Belfast; Inner South Belfast; Tullycarnet; Rathcoole; and Upper Springfield/Whiterock.

Speaking at the Mount Buisness and Conference Centre, the department's permanent secretary Alan Shannon outlined the proposals for implementing the strategy.

He said: “The government is determined to break the cycle of inter-generational deprivation which exists, not only in Belfast, but across Northern Ireland, by ensuring all parts of government place the needs of the most deprived people and place at the heart of their work.”

Mr Shannon said that as consultation was an "important part of developing any policy or strategy", the department wanted to know what people think of the proposals and whether the plans could be improved before they are finally published in Spring 2004.

‘People and Place’, the Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal was published by the Department for Social Development in June 2003. Its aim is to close the gap between the quality of life for those living in deprived neighbourhoods and the quality of life enjoyed by the rest of society.

The Strategy sets out the principles that will guide the Department for Social Development’s approach to tackling deprivation over the next ten years. Draft Implementation Plans covering Belfast, Londonderry and the regional towns have now been published and there will be consultation in all three areas before the final Implementation Plans are published.

The consultation process will run until March 2004. The Department will simultaneously consult on an Equality Impact Assessment of its proposals. As well as publishing the draft document, the Department will be holding a series of consultation workshops across Belfast.

(KMcA)