Targeting Social Need annual report published

Minister of State John Spellar has launched the New Targeting Social Need (TSN) annual report 2003.

The report contained details of the work carried out by Departments from April 2002 to March 2003 and sets out further commitments to ensure that relevant policies and services can be targeted effectively at the most needy in the community.

Individual departments have also revised and updated their TSN Action Plans taking account of progress and priorities in the Programme for Government and these are included in the Annual Report.

Mr Spellar, said: "I am grateful for the contribution of Northern Ireland Departments to the production of this document. Poverty continues to blight the lives of individuals in Northern Ireland, preventing their participation and contribution to the social, cultural and economic life here. The Government continues to be committed to tackling poverty and social exclusion in a co-ordinated and focused way. The New Targeting Social Need policy provides that focus and co-ordinated and focused way. The New Targeting Social Need policy provides that focus and co-ordinated action and while the report reflects the significant work and achievements of Departments, clearly there is much more to do."

The Minister concluded: "The previous Executive committed to complete an evaluation of New TSN this year. The evaluation has now been completed and will inform the Government’s thinking on future policy direction, on which we intend to consult."

(KMcA)