AQW 9772/17-22


Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 05/11/2020
Answered On Date: 19/11/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice what her Department is doing to fulfil the Executive's commitment to building a united and shared society through the Together: Building a United Community strategy.


Answer:
The Department of Justice leads work on the Interfaces Programme, one of the seven headline actions under the auspices of the Executive’s Together: building a united community (T:buc) Strategy.
I am committed to working towards the reduction and removal of interface security structures, wherever they exist, across Northern Ireland.
Working with those most affected by any proposed change to an existing interface structure - typically, those living closest to them - is one of the key principles that underpins the T:buc Interfaces Programme as outlined in the Programme Framework (https://www.justiceni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/justice/interfaces-programme.pdf)
People living in interface communities have demonstrated that they are keen to see security barriers or ‘peace walls’ removed.
Over recent years, the number of DoJ-owned interface structures has reduced from 59 to 45. A number of other structures have been reduced in height or nature and the opening times of interface gates extended to reduce the significant impediment such structures present to local people going about their daily business.
On one particular scheme in North Belfast, the removal of a substantial portion of high interface security fencing made way for a multi-use games area and playpark for local children and opened up shared access to local community facilities.
We rely on political, community and inter-Departmental support to make progress under the T:buc Interfaces Programme. The other aspects of T:buc aimed at fostering reconciliation through changing mindsets also play a key role in creating the conditions for local people to have confidence in the reduction or removal of a nearby physical interface barrier.