Committee Hears From Rural Community On Anti-Poverty And Social Inclusion

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development held a special event today (Thursday 20 November 2014) to gather views and ideas from rural dwellers and representatives on its current review of the Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Programme. 

The existing programme, which forms part of the overall Programme for Government 2011-15, was designed to address rural poverty and disadvantage and to produce cohesive and tangible strategies to eliminate hardship and to increase social inclusion in rural areas. Today’s event brought together a range of rural community groups to reflect on the success or otherwise of the existing programme and to focus on key elements to be included in any successor programme.

Speaking after today’s event, the Committee Chairperson William Irwin MLA said: “The Committee has been keenly aware for some time that a review of the current programme is necessary. Economic and social issues change over time and we must ensure that any strategy that aims to tackle deprivation and disadvantage is current, workable and fit for purpose.

“Today’s event will be vitally important in informing our review, and we were delighted to meet and talk to people, community groups, and representatives from all over rural Northern Ireland. We heard today about the need to build and support a strong and vibrant infrastructure to protect and nurture the livelihoods of rural communities. We also asked participants to consider issues such as the need for Rural Proofing which was introduced to ensure that all government policies take into account the needs of and impact on rural areas.

“The information gathered today will help the Committee to shape a full and accurate picture of the realities of rural life. We will take with us several important views on the effectiveness of the current programme as well as some innovative ideas to develop a future programme.”

Deputy Chairperson Joe Byrne MLA added: “The continuing pressures on the local agricultural sector are very real issues which leave many of our rural communities in, or at risk of, poverty and social exclusion.

“The views expressed today would seem to suggest that people are generally happy with the current programme, its aims and outcomes to date. However, it is not a one size fits all solution and it is vital that we take the time now to consider how best to tackle and put in place the appropriate measures to prevent and alleviate poverty in our farming and rural communities. This aim is at the very centre of our review.

“We will factor all comments and suggestions provided here today into our overall review and this will help us to present practical and effective recommendations to the Minister and her Department on the way forward.”

ENDS

Committee Members meet rural dwellers and representatives on its
current review of the Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Programme