O’Neill Discusses Needs Of Most Vulnerable In Rural Communities

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill, has met with the Rural Community Network (RCN), a province wide community development organisation,  to discuss a range of issues impacting on the most vulnerable in the rural community.

Minister O’Neill said, “Many factors can have an impact, positive or negative, on the quality of life of those, and particularly the vulnerable, living in rural areas.”

“My discussions today with RCN covered a range of issues, such as difficulties in accessing services, broadband and how poverty can have a greater impact on someone who is living in a geographically isolated area.”

She added, “My Department is committed to achieving equality outcomes for vulnerable groups and has been working to address some of the issues raised by the RCN through the Anti Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework, and this positive work is ongoing. In addition, work is continuing to finalise the Rural White Paper Action Plan which will address key issues and challenges facing rural communities.”

Highlighting her determination to help address poverty and social exclusion in rural areas the Minister said: “Some £16million has been allocated to addressing poverty and social exclusion in rural areas in this current budget period. My Department is developing a number of measures to tackle rural poverty, building on the rural poverty work in the areas of access to benefits and services, rural transport and support services to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and isolated young people.”