AQO 5287/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 06/01/2014
Answered On Date: 14/01/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for her assessment of previous reimaging schemes for sectarian murals in the light of the creation of several new murals in recent months.

Answer:

The previous Re-imaging Communities Programme invested over £3.3million in 155 community projects across the north of Ireland. The programme, rooted in A Shared Future, brought together key statutory bodies and departments and delivered an integrated and co-ordinated approach to addressing the issues of flags, emblems and sectional symbols in the north of Ireland.

While it is always disappointing to learn of the creation of new sectarian murals, the Re-Imaging Communities evaluation concluded that the programme has been a considerable success both in relation to its own aims and objectives and also in relation to the wider context of inter-group relations across the north of Ireland. In addition, the report highlighted significant benefits to communities including increased community cohesion through strengthening relationships, the development of links between communities and Councils and an increased willingness for individuals and communities to dissociate from division and hostility.

The new “Building Peace Through the Arts – Re-Imaging Communities Programme” is currently underway after its launch in April 2013.