Communities Minister has restated his commitment
to delivering real and lasting change as he marks the end of the
first year in office.
Reflecting on a fast-paced year of transformative policies and
programmes, Minister Lyons said: “On taking up post, I
made a commitment to deliver, to get things done. Looking over
the year there is no doubting the positive action taken right
across the Department's remit – including housing, sports, arts,
culture, regeneration and supporting people.
“I have found a way forward in key areas which have been
at a standstill for too long.
“In one of my first actions as Minister, I stepped up to
resolve disparities in relation to defective buildings. This
resulted in the delivery of the Defective Premises Act, which
gives homeowners in Northern Ireland the same protections as
those in England and Wales.
“I launched the first whole system Housing Supply
Strategy for Northern Ireland which aims to see the creation of
100,000 new homes and will address homelessness, housing supply
and housing quality. Separately, around £35million of
funding has also been provided to the NIHE to prevent
homelessness.
“The Northern Ireland Football Fund is now open to
applications from performance clubs, which is a once in a
generation opportunity to transform the game locally with
modernised facilities.
“For me, the £36.2million commitment is just the start
and I will work to sustain the Fund by making the case for
further investment from the Executive, from within the football
sector and across local government.
“In a year which saw unprecedented success for our
athletes from Northern Ireland at the Olympics and Paralympics, I
was pleased to host an event at the SSE Arena and announce a
£100k fund for our Gold medalists to invest back into their
sports.”
Minister Lyons continued: “Under my remit of
Transforming Place and Communities, I have delivered £13million
of capital funding for regeneration projects across all Council
areas and these strategic sites will deliver new homes and
high-quality public spaces.”
Minister Lyons added that the achievements of the last year had
been focussed entirely on achieving his Department's stated
mission of tackling disadvantage and building sustainable
communities.
“At the heart of this, of course, are people,”
he said, “and I have moved swiftly and decisively in
providing and extending support in the face of an extremely
challenging budgetary situation.
“Following the unwelcome and unexpected decision by the
Labour government to restrict Winter Fuel Payments, I secured
£17million from the Executive for a £100 fuel support payment for
all pension age households affected by the change. This payment
is on schedule to be delivered by the end of March.
“I also ensured the extension of welfare mitigation
payments for those impacted by social security changes such as
the Benefit Cap and ‘bedroom tax'. Extending these
mitigation schemes will have a positive impact for people across
Northern Ireland and will help to protect the most vulnerable in
our society.”
The Minister added: “My focus continues on delivery. I
will bring forward the Sign Language Bill in the coming weeks and
will take both the Anti-Poverty and Disability and Work
strategies to the Executive.
“At the end of my first year as Minister for Communities
I reiterate my belief that this Executive has to be marked by
delivery. I have, and will continue to, play my part in that
delivery for the benefit of our entire community.”
Additional programmes funded and supported
- Target set for the completion of 1400 new start homes,
supported by £168.65million investment.
- Local community services have also been boosted with
investment of £38million to over 400 community organisations and
over 1,900 smaller community groups, with a focus on areas of
deprivation. Through this, over 26,000 children and young people
have been supported with education projects; 100,000 people have
accessed debt advice and support and 7000 people included in
health initiatives. In addition, 19,000 young people will benefit
from youth inclusion or diversionary projects and over 300
community facilities will be improved.
- - Additional funding of £2.7million for the £80million
Supporting People Programme to support people and homeless
service providers to address cost pressures
- Continued investment in the free Make the Call advice service
that connects people with a broad range of benefits, services and
supports. Last year MtC assisted 12,025 people in accessing
£62.1millon in additional annualised benefits that they were
entitled to but not claiming. On average, customers were better
off by £99.36 per person per week.
- Musical Instruments Programme funding increased by an
additional £323k bringing the total capital investment to £823k.
The programme supports groups and young people by helping replace
worn out instruments. To date 119 awards granted have been
involving over 4500 people in total
- - £180k Exchequer funding distributed to seven District
Councils through the community planning process to open community
participation opportunities in sport and physical activity.
- £1.2million Exchequer to support those with
disabilities to access sport and physical activity.
