South Down Sinn Féin Calls For Better Rural Broadband

Posted by Jim Masson On January - 29 - 2011

Sinn Féin MLA Willie Clarke has said that broadband needs to be as accessible in rural areas as it is in urban areas. Mr Clarke said, “The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment needs to do more to make sure that rural communities have broadband access. I have tabled a question in the Assembly on dealing specifically with the deficit of broadband access for the rural community in South Down.

Read more: South Down Sinn Féin Calls For Better Rural Broadband

O’Neill Discusses Needs Of Most Vulnerable In Rural Communities

Posted by Jim Masson On November - 30 - 2011

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.”

Read more: O’Neill Discusses Needs Of Most Vulnerable In Rural Communities

Rural Development Funding Boosts Social Economy Enterprise

Posted by Jim Masson On September - 6 - 2011

THE Rural Development Programme (RDP) is helping to create improved facilities for isolated rural communities, according to Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill.

The Minister was speaking after a visit to Loughgiel Community Association where she saw at first hand how the local rural community has benefitted from RDP funding. The group received funding of £127,125 to help provide a community café and community garden.

Broadband Improvements Essential For Rural Areas – O’Neill

Posted by Jim Masson On July - 6 - 2011

RURAL Development Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA today met with BT to discuss broadband provision in rural areas across the north.

Speaking after the meeting the Minister said: “Coming from a rural area myself, I am constantly reminded by rural dwellers of the importance of good communications and of the increasing reliance many place on telecoms in their day to day lives. This is why I have made it an early priority to champion the case for improved access to broadband in rural areas. My Department has recently invested £2.5million towards making improvements to broadband provision in rural areas. This funding was specifically targeted at rural areas that did not have broadband or were running at lower speeds and I am confident this will have a very positive impact on rural dwellers.

“Access to improved telecoms provides a key catalyst for rural businesses, communities, and a means of communication with the rest of the world for those isolated from urban centres.”

The Minister said that her meeting with BT was to be the first with a range of stakeholders with an interest in improving broadband access. She said: “I am interested to examine ways in which we can work to extend broadband coverage in liaison with the relevant Departments and providers, such as BT. It is my view that no rural dweller should be disadvantaged because of lack of access to broadband and I will continue to press for greater access in rural areas and will work proactively to ensure this.”

New Guide To ‘Thinking Rural’ Launched

Posted by Jim Masson On March - 10 - 2011

MINISTER of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, has launched revised guidance which aims to ensure that government actions have fairer and more equitable outcomes for rural communities throughout the north of Ireland.

The guidance entitled “Thinking Rural – the essential guide to Rural Proofing” will assess the possible impacts of government policies on rural areas and those who live and work there.

Ritchie: Rural Fuel Discount Should Inlcude NI

Posted by Jim Masson On February - 24 - 2011

SDLP Leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has met with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Justine Greening, to urge her to include Northern Ireland in the government’s pilot scheme to reduce the cost of fuel in rural areas.

Ms Ritchie said, “In these difficult economic times the lowering of fuel costs is a priority for homes and businesses right across the country.

“The coalition government has given a commitment to look at rural Scotland as an area where a pilot can be undertaken on the reduction of fuel costs and the SDLP feel it is imperative that a similar scheme is extended to Northern Ireland.

“It is my understanding that UK ministers will take the case for discounting fuel prices in rural area to the European Union after the Budget in March and it is vital that Northern Ireland is included.

“Northern Ireland’s rural geography and poor public transport infrastructure means that we have a heavy reliance on private transport and the hike in fuel and food prices are making life increasingly difficult for people and businesses on a daily basis.

“I will continue to raise this urgent matter at all levels of government to ensure that Northern Ireland is given equal treatment to other regions and people in remote rural areas are given some relief on their fuel costs.”

Gildernew Highlights Success Of Anti-Poverty Programme

Posted by Jim Masson On February - 15 - 2011

RURAL Development Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA speaking recently about DARD’s Anti-Poverty Programme said, “During my time as Minister I have secured agreement from the Executive to bring forward a £10 million package to tackle poverty and exclusion. The subsequent initiatives that were developed and led by my Department are having a significant impact on our rural communities.

“More than 10,000 people have benefited from a range of projects which include community transport, better access to a range of grants, benefits and services; the installation of heating to address fuel poverty; the rural support helpline; improved access to rural broadband and of course enhanced rural childcare provision.”

The Minister added, “I remain committed to addressing poverty and exclusion issues in rural areas and recognise that there is still a lot of work to be done. That is why I have fought hard to secure and retain the existing funding level and, why, given that more and more people are falling into poverty in the current economic climate, I want to enhance our commitment to tackling rural poverty and exclusion by raising expenditure to around £16 million during the next Budget period.

“It is key that we build on the success of the current Anti-Poverty Programme and that we continue to look at how Government departments and agencies can work together to help tackle rural poverty and exclusion issues going into the future.”

Community Development and Partnership Are Key Says Gildernew

Posted by Jim Masson On February - 7 - 2011

ADDRESSING delegates at the Annual General Meeting of the Rural Community Network (RCN) in Benedy Community Hall, Dungiven, DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew said that community development and partnership working plays a key role in tackling poverty and social exclusion in rural areas.

She added, “It has always been important to me that rural communities receive the time and attention they deserve, and the resources they need to identify and resolve local issues and make change happen in their area.