To ask the Minister for Social Development, pursuant to AQW 1728/11-15, what steps his Department has taken, and plans to take, to address the high level of child poverty in the East Antrim area.

Although OFMDFM has lead responsibility for tackling child poverty my Department clearly has a key role to play. My Department has recently contributed to the Executive’s delivery plan for the Child Poverty Strategy and I am keen for this work to be progressed. My Department included its main strategies for tackling child poverty in all areas including;

Providing financial support for parents through the social security system and through the delivery of better child support arrangements. This includes the Benefit Uptake Programme which since 2007 contacted over 15,000 families and offered a full benefit assessment carried out by an independent advice sector partner;

Raising the standards of housing available for young people and families in both the private rented and social housing sectors;

Tackling fuel poverty in the most vulnerable households through our Fuel Poverty Strategy;

Funding the provision of advice and volunteer services and a range of programmes, such as the areas at risk programme which have a direct impact on the lives of families in most need.

In the East Antrim Constituency Area my Department provides funding through the Community Investment Fund (CIF) to two recipient Groups. DSD CIF funding to these Groups for 2011/12 is:

Carrickfergus Community Forum£60,642

Larne Community Development Programme£50,379