AQO 9137/11-16

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 12/11/2015
Answered On Date: 10/02/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their Department's response to the finding in the Good Relations Indicators that 54 per cent of people see town centres as safe and welcoming for people of all walks of life.

Answer:

The Good Relations Indicators report was published on 22 September 2015. Future reports will highlight trends and changes and will allow the Executive to identify the necessary steps to aid positive progress.

One of the key priorities identified in Together: Building a United Community Strategy is Our Safe Community which aims to create a community where everyone feels safe in moving around and where life choices are not inhibited by fears around safety.

Building a truly united community can only be possible when people feel safe and secure in all neighbourhoods and spaces within our community.

Together:Building a United Community provides the framework for government action in tackling sectarianism, racism and other forms of intolerance while seeking to address division, hate and separation.

However, this is not just the responsibility of OFMDFM. The Strategy is an Executive Strategy which places responsibilities on all government departments