AQW 48929/11-16


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 18/09/2015
Answered On Date: 22/10/2015
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the funding targeted at reducing rural poverty and social and economic isolation since 2011.


Answer:
Since April 2011, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has invested approximately £16.5 million of funding through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme.
Through the Delivering Social Change framework we are working with all departments to improve children and young people’s health, well being and life opportunities, and to break the long-term cycle of multi-generational problems across Northern Ireland, including for those living in rural areas.
The benefits of this approach have been illustrated by the multi-departmental, multi-agency and multi sectoral implementation of six cross cutting signature programmes, costing some £26m, which are multi-faceted and span across Northern Ireland. The programmes have sought to provide a wide range of holistic interventions to encourage re-engagement in education, training or employment and enhance prospects to become full participants in society.
Together: Building a United Community is the Executive’s comprehensive strategy to improve community relations. It contains a package of significant and strategic actions aimed at improving community relations and building a united, shared and reconciled society.
Whilst the focus of the Strategy is not targeted at reducing rural poverty and social and economic isolation, some of the actions and commitments will impact on rural areas.
The Executive’s draft ten year strategy for Affordable and Integrated Childcare was launched for public consultation on 28 July, with consultation due to run for 16 weeks until 13 November 2015. Within the context of the draft Strategy, we have been working closely with colleagues in DARD who wish to develop appropriate childcare interventions in rural areas. Through the creation of appropriate rural childcare models, the aim is to improve the sustainability and affordability of rural childcare provision and by doing so, enhance the accessibility to rural families.  It is also intended that rural childcare needs will be mainstreamed across the full range of actions in the final Childcare Strategy. 
Our vision is that no child here is disadvantaged by poverty or deprivation. A review of the Child Poverty Strategy was conducted last year which has helped inform the development of a revised Child Poverty Strategy.
Our aims are to reduce the number of children affected by poverty and deprivation and to reduce the impact on children.
The revised Strategy will contain a range of actions focused on four high level outcomes to deliver a sustained reduction in poverty and social exclusion issues by way of better joined up working between Government departments. Actions include supporting young people in rural areas in relation to; education, employment, childcare, fuel poverty, financial matters and community development.