Gildernew discusses rural poverty and social exculusion with Citizens Advice Bureau

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA today met with the staff of Fermanagh Citizens Advice Bureau in Enniskillen to discuss the charity’s work in the rural community.

The Programme for Government has made a commitment to address rural poverty and disadvantage and has allocated the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) a £10million package to address these issues over the next three years.

Speaking at the event the Minister said: “Citizens Advice Bureaux offer a vital lifeline to those in need across the North and have long been involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. In addition to undertaking vital pilot programmes which help ensure benefits reach those who need and deserve them, the Fermanagh branch has been dealing with a growing number of people who face hardship in the current economic climate.

“During this visit today I have been able to chat to staff and see for myself some of the commendable work that has been undertaken. In particular their rural focused schemes like the rural outreach service and their work on identifying the types of debt faced by those living in rural communities.”

The event also gave the Minister the opportunity to provide an update on the recent consultation on the Rural Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework.  

Discussing progress on the consultation, the Minister advised that: “Responses to the consultation were broadly supportive of the five priorities set out in the framework, namely rural childcare, rural fuel poverty, rural transport and access, rural community development and a rural challenge programme.  

“Furthermore, there was a clear message from respondents that in order to effectively address poverty and exclusion there must be a joined up approach by government and statutory agencies as well as partnerships with rural organisations.  It is my intention that this framework will take this joined up, partnership approach to addressing poverty and exclusion in rural areas.”

The Chief Executive of CAB in Northern Ireland, Derek Alcorn, welcomed the Minister's interest in the work of her local CAB office and said: “The work of Citizens Advice was highly relevant to the Rural Anti Poverty and Social Inclusion Network which her department had published. CAB could make a particular contribution to this initiative in terms of its specialist work in benefit entitlement, debt and money advice and employment rights.”

Notes to Editors:

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