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14/04/2004
Government to tackle poverty and social exclusion
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy today announced that extensive consultation would commence on a strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland.
In the consultation document, entitled "New TSN - The Way Forward Towards an Anti - Poverty Strategy," a range of proposals is described for the future direction of New Targeting Social Need (New TSN), the high level policy for tackling poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland.
These include: a ministerially led forum to tackle poverty through an inter-departmental, cross sectoral approach, a new priority focus on financial inclusion in tackling problems of financial hardship and indebtedness and the setting up of a group to look at issues affecting lone parents.
Speaking at the launch in Church House, Belfast, the Secretary of State said: "Despite the increasing prosperity generated by an improving economy in Northern Ireland, many people continue to experience the hardship caused by poverty and associated disadvantage, and are unable to enjoy a decent standard of living and quality of life.
"The Government is committed to tackling poverty and disadvantage and in particular to eliminating child poverty by the year 2020. In Northern Ireland, this will require actions and initiatives across the full range of public service areas, a shared and clear strategic direction and a means of monitoring progress towards this. This is what the proposed Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Strategy aims to achieve."
Mr Murphy added that the proposals being launched today had come about as a result of the former Northern Ireland Executive's commitment to evaluate New TSN.
He said: "Ideally, a devolved Executive having started the work, should be in a position to continue it. But because of the importance of the policy, we must press on to the next stage of public discussion on the review proposals. I would welcome views from as wide a range of people as possible."
The Public Consultation exercise will run until Friday 3 September 2004, during which time a number of widely advertised public seminars and meetings will be held.
(MB)
In the consultation document, entitled "New TSN - The Way Forward Towards an Anti - Poverty Strategy," a range of proposals is described for the future direction of New Targeting Social Need (New TSN), the high level policy for tackling poverty and social exclusion in Northern Ireland.
These include: a ministerially led forum to tackle poverty through an inter-departmental, cross sectoral approach, a new priority focus on financial inclusion in tackling problems of financial hardship and indebtedness and the setting up of a group to look at issues affecting lone parents.
Speaking at the launch in Church House, Belfast, the Secretary of State said: "Despite the increasing prosperity generated by an improving economy in Northern Ireland, many people continue to experience the hardship caused by poverty and associated disadvantage, and are unable to enjoy a decent standard of living and quality of life.
"The Government is committed to tackling poverty and disadvantage and in particular to eliminating child poverty by the year 2020. In Northern Ireland, this will require actions and initiatives across the full range of public service areas, a shared and clear strategic direction and a means of monitoring progress towards this. This is what the proposed Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Strategy aims to achieve."
Mr Murphy added that the proposals being launched today had come about as a result of the former Northern Ireland Executive's commitment to evaluate New TSN.
He said: "Ideally, a devolved Executive having started the work, should be in a position to continue it. But because of the importance of the policy, we must press on to the next stage of public discussion on the review proposals. I would welcome views from as wide a range of people as possible."
The Public Consultation exercise will run until Friday 3 September 2004, during which time a number of widely advertised public seminars and meetings will be held.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
