28 March 2006
HANSON SAYS TACKLING DISADVANTAGE MUST BE A PRIORITY
The Social Development Minister today announced that an additional 44,000 people will benefit from government's efforts to tackle disadvantage.
Many new areas across Northern Ireland will get help from the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy including parts of Suffolk, Andersonstown, Mount Vernon, Bawnmore, Coalisland and Enniskillen. Speaking during a visit to the Colin area of West Belfast, Mr Hanson explained that the Nobel Index, which is used to measure multiple deprivation, had been reviewed to take account of changes in electoral wards, in urban and rural definitions, housing patterns as well as new indicators such as crime and disorder and living environment. This means that Government now has a more accurate method of identifying disadvantaged areas. He said: "Using the new Noble Index we can now target our resources better to really help people in areas which are in greatest need. An additional 44,000 people will now be able to benefit from Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. "Many new areas are now clearly falling within the worst levels of deprivation. It is important that they now come under the umbrella of the Neighbourhood Renewal which provides a stronger and more comprehensive source of support to communities suffering the worst levels of disadvantage." The Department for Social Development with work with these communities to consult on workable boundaries and the need for new Neighbourhood Partnerships. The review of Noble means that some former Neighbourhood Renewal areas are no longer included in the top 10%. Clarifying the position in relation to these communities the Minister said: "The Government will honour its commitment to support those areas originally identified as Neighbourhood Renewal areas. This will allow the Government to continue to target the top 10% most deprived areas, based on the most up-to-date and relevant information while simultaneously fulfilling the commitment given to those areas previously ranked as the most deprived." NOTES TO EDITORS: 1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' can be obtained from the DSD website - www.dsdni.gov.uk 2. The strategic aims of the strategy are to:3. Neighbourhood Renewal Areas have been created around the urban areas shown in the official deprivation measures to be among the most disadvantaged 10% of areas in Northern Ireland. 4. In July 2004 the Minister (Mr Spellar) announced the original 32 Neighbourhood renewal areas which had been identified. 5. Following the review of Noble, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005. This new measure has enabled the Department to effectively target the areas in greatest need. 8. For media enquiries please contact the Information Office 028 9082 8078.
- 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.
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