newly announced policies and strategies

As part of the recent Hillsborough Agreement the DCAL Minister has given a commitment to submit a Minority Languages Strategy to the Northern Ireland Executive before the end of March 2010.  

The Strategy will protect, enhance and develop Northern Ireland’s regional minority languages (Irish and Ulster-Scots). It will seek to create a framework where regional minority languages can be shared by all who wish to use them. It will seek to promote wider understanding of the background to the languages through increasing understanding and awareness between sections of the community who identify with Irish heritage and culture and those who feel a sense of belonging to the Ulster-Scots heritage and culture.

For further information contact:  languages.branch@dcalni.gov.uk

The strategy is aimed at encouraging the development of a healthy private rented sector in Northern Ireland and sets out the way forward for the sector for the next few years.  It is focused on key areas as follows: Knowledge & Awareness; Impact of the Private Tenancies Order; Tenancy Management; Security of Tenure; Standard of fitness; and Improving Accessibility.

For further information contact:   housing.policy@dsdni.gov.uk

The Northern Ireland Executive has approved a policy for Rathlin Island as the region’s only off-shore inhabited island.  The policy is to co-ordinate the Executive’s action to develop a vibrant, healthy Rathlin community.  It will develop measures and projects which will improve the conditions of the islanders while also protecting the island’s natural and cultural heritage.

The reforms will introduce new arrangements for planning and delivery of public transport involving the setting up of a Departmental public transport agency which would plan and contract for services, monitor performance and provide funding. The agency would enter into performance-based contracts with Translink, and where appropriate, with other providers, thereby complying with EU Regulation 1370/2007. New legislation will be required to enable the Department for Regional Development to enter into contracts, regulate fares, regulate the conduct of passengers in bus stations, control access to bus stations, introduce an enforcement regime, transfer responsibilities for the regulation of route permits from DoE to the DRD agency, extend the role of the Consumer Council, provide powers to acquire and dispose of land and property and facilitate integrated ticketing.   

Details of the consultation are available on the DRD website

For further information contact: david.strain@drdni.gov.uk  Or Telephone 02890 541043