Time for Neighbourhood Renewal to deliver - Minister Ritchie

The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, today announced the next steps in tackling deprivation in Northern Ireland’s 36 most disadvantaged communities.

Under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, the Minister has committed some £60million over the next three years to addressing the very real needs of people living in these communities. This will tackle multiple deprivation in specific areas by focusing on local needs as identified by the communities themselves.

The Minister said: "It is simply unacceptable that the life chances of some people in our society are determined by where they live. People who live in Neighbourhood Renewal areas are more likely to have fewer educational or vocational qualifications. They are less likely to be in work and more likely to get their income from benefits and tax credits. Life expectancy is also more likely to be lower. I am determined to focus funds on actions that will tackle the causes as well as the symptoms.

"Over the last two years, my Department has established Partnerships in each Neighbourhood Renewal area which are representative of the community and include local politicians, as well as statutory bodies working in the area. The Partnerships have put a lot of hard work into producing long-term Action Plans for each area.

"To date, funding for disadvantaged areas has been short term and, at times, piecemeal. It is now my wish to direct resources at the priorities identified by local people in the Action Plans and to make those resources available for a longer period.

"For many hard working community groups and service providers this will offer much welcome financial certainty. For those groups directly delivering on Neighbourhood Renewal priorities, I will be offering three-year service contracts, subject to normal appraisal requirements.

"But this isn’t just about direct funding from my Department. As I have said before, Neighbourhood Renewal requires that all Departments support renewed efforts to improve the delivery of better services in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, including health, education and training.

"My Department will continue to work closely with other Departments to reach agreement on funding for those Neighbourhood Renewal activities which fall under their statutory responsibility. Whilst discussions continue, my Department will continue to resource groups delivering relevant services for up to a year.

"Inevitably, as we focus funding on priority needs, funding for a small number of groups will cease. However, I have agreed to continue to support these groups for a period of up to five months to allow them to make alternative arrangements for their future.

"My overriding objective is to ensure that we concentrate scarce resources where they will have maximum impact on the ground. For a small minority of groups this may be uncomfortable. For the vast majority, however, the approach will be welcomed. For the wider public, it will demonstrate that devolution does make a difference."

The Minister also indicated plans to move Neighbourhood Renewal closer to local government. Margaret Ritchie said: "It is my intention to transfer responsibility for Neighbourhood Renewal to local Councils as part of the new vision for local government in Northern Ireland. We already work with local government in this area. I want to build on that relationship and to use partnering arrangements on particular projects to test the feasibility of transferring some functions in advance of the new Councils being established.”

Notes to Editors:

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