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Minister Margaret Ritchie outlined her priorities at her first meeting with the Social Development Committee at Stormont today.

In a wide-ranging presentation she updated members on the Department’s key issues, including the Welfare Reform Bill, the regeneration of disadvantaged areas and the provision of social and affordable housing.The Welfare Reform Bill will maintain the long-standing policy of parity between Great Britain and Northern Ireland on social security matters.

The Minister said: “I believe that people in Northern Ireland, who pay the same rates of National Insurance and income tax as those on the mainland, have the right to expect these changes to apply here with the minimum of delay. Therefore, I will be seeking accelerated passage of the Bill through the Assembly.

“This important Bill introduces Employment and Support Allowance to replace the current Incapacity Benefit and provide individuals with more appropriate support to enable them to stay in or return to work. It also includes provision for the introduction of a Local Housing Allowance across the private rented sector

“It will also make it easier for people suffering from dust-related diseases such as mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions to gain compensation where their previous employer has ceased to carry on business.”

The Minister told members that the Department was committed to closing the gap in the quality of life for those living in disadvantaged areas and those living elsewhere in Northern Ireland.  She said: “Closing the gap in the quality of life for those living in disadvantaged areas is the main aim of our Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. We are moving away from individual projects funded on a one-off basis to working in partnerships with local people.”

The Minister referred to the Assembly debates on Monday about affordable housing and vacant homes, following which she asked the Housing Executive to produce an Empty Homes Strategy. She told committee members that she would be bidding for extra funding to cover the shortfall in the social housing new build programme.

“Funding the social housing programme may not have been a key priority for the past administration. It is with me. My message is simple. Give me the money and I will build you the houses” she added.

source: Belfast Healthy Cities e-bulletin

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