24 March 2005
DSD LAUNCHES PLAN TO TACKLE DEPRIVATION IN LONDONDERRY
A plan to tackle deprivation in Derry was launched today by the Minister for Social Development, John Spellar MP.
Announcing the publication of the Final Implementation Plan and Equality Impact Assessment, which sets out the Department's proposals for implementing the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy in the city, he said:
"Tackling disadvantage requires a targeted partnership approach. Neighbourhood Renewal will help to transform our most deprived urban areas and provide genuine opportunities for local communities to influence the services being provided in their area."
The final Plan includes detailed proposals on the neighbourhoods chosen, how and by whom the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy will be implemented and what kind of schemes might be supported. An Equality Impact Assessment, detailing how Neighbourhood Renewal will affect the Section 75 groups who live within and outside the Neighbourhood Renewal Areas, accompanies it.
The Department for Social Development published 'People and Place', the Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, in June 2003. The strategy seeks to tackle the complex, multi-dimensional nature of deprivation in our most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and to close the gap between the quality of life for people in these areas and the rest of society.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal sets out the principles that will guide the Department for Social Development's approach to tackling deprivation over the next 10 years. Three Implementation Plans covering Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and the regional towns provide more detail on how it will be implemented.
2. A Neighbourhood Renewal for Derry/Londonderry Discussion Paper was issued for consultation in August 2003. A Consultation Report on that exercise was published in September 2004.
3. The Draft Implementation Plan for Neighbourhood Renewal in Derry/Londonderry was published in early December 2004 and the consultation period extended until 31 January 2005. The Department simultaneously consulted on the Draft Equality Impact Assessment of its proposals.
4. The Final Implementation Plan and the Equality Impact Assessment can be obtained by contacting the North West Development Office at Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Londonderry, BT48 6AT tel: 028 7131 9900 or from the DSD website at www.dsdni.gov.uk
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