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Minister of Finance and Personnel Launches New Research Into Deprivation.

Press Release: 5 July 2001

The most socially disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland were revealed today in a new report launched by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mark Durkan.

Unveiling the new deprivation indicators which show that urban areas in Belfast and Derry Districts have the highest deprivation levels, the Minister said: “These are very important findings which will now be used to target our resources, in line with the Programme for Government, in areas of greatest need.

“This piece of research will influence and inform policies and programmes across government, and beyond, in the immediate and medium-term future.”

The report known as the “Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland” was published by the Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency (NISRA), an agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The research, which was undertaken by a team from the University of Oxford and Queen’s University, Belfast, used information collected by Northern Ireland Government Departments and Agencies to measure social and economic deprivation throughout the region.

The result is a complex array of measures which can be used to assess deprivation at various levels, including District Council, electoral ward and at smaller areas of around 150 households.

The Minister simultaneously launched NISRA’s new web-based Geographical Information Service which will allow users access to information collected across Government Departments and to map this information for small areas.

In launching the new website, the first in the UK, Mr Durkan said: “This information will assist in the analysis of patterns of social conditions across Northern Ireland and in monitoring the impact of Government policies. The development of this service represents a tangible example of ‘joined-up Government’ which will provide a seamless one stop shop for geographical statistical data.”

The address for the website is www.nisra.gov.uk

Copies of the deprivation report can be obtained from the NISRA website and hard copies, costing £25, will be available from NISRA from 30 July 2001.

PRESS AND PR CONTACT: Gillian McKeown DFP Press Office 90525905.