Ritchie wants economic success felt in deprived communities

The Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal programme has the potential to make real improvements in deprived area Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said today.

The Minister made the key address to the second Regional Neighbourhood Renewal conference in Templepatrick. She outlined her vision for Neighbourhood Renewal saying: “I want to do everything possible to renew our most deprived areas and to work with all other parts of government to ensure that jobs and economic growth are experienced in those communities that need it most.

“Evidence clearly shows people living in these areas have a poorer quality of life, a shorter life expectancy, fewer qualifications and lower rates of employment than many other areas. I find it unacceptable in the 21st century that people are disadvantaged simply because of where they live. This situation must improve and I intend that it will.”

Pointing to the collective responsibilities of all government departments to deliver the Neighbourhood Renewal improvements the Minister said: “My Executive colleagues have a big part to play in the overall programme and I am determined that they will. I signed up to the draft budget and Programme for Government on this basis. The draft Programme for Government is clear that addressing disadvantage is our shared challenge, requires co-ordinated action, new and innovative measures and targeted resources and efforts.”

Launching specific Neighbourhood Renewal improvement targets in health, education, employability and skills the Minister said: “These will help to focus efforts and resources to make sure we deliver measurable and sustainable improvements in these key areas. The resources available are limited so we must ensure they are used to achieve maximum impact, to help communities reach their full potential and become more self sufficient.

“Neighbourhood Renewal is about tackling disadvantage in areas of greatest need and making a positive difference. Our action plans will be clearly and effectively targeted at addressing the core causes of deprivation. This marks a change in the way we do things by supporting those services and actions which best address local needs. This challenge will only be achieved through partnership working by government, statutory bodies and the communities themselves.”

The conference was attended by community, statutory and locally elected representatives from across Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods sharing a common ambition to work together to improve lives.

Notes to Editors:

1.The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' is the Executive’s strategy for addressing disadvantage and deprivation and is on www.dsdni.gov.uk

2.The strategic aims of the strategy are to:

• develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas;
• develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider economy;
• improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments; and
• help create attractive, safe, sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

3.Neighbourhood Renewal Areas have been created in the urban areas shown in the official deprivation figures to be among the most disadvantaged 10% of areas in Northern Ireland.

4.The 36 Area Action Plans identified include 15 in Belfast, six in the North West and 15 in other towns and cities across Northern Ireland.

5.For news media enquiries please contact DSD Press Office 028 9082 9497. Out-of-hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440.