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Poverty and Social Inclusion

Poverty and Social Inclusion (lead Department – OFMDFM)

Promoting social inclusion is an important element of Northern Ireland's anti-poverty strategy “Lifetime Opportunities”.    

The term 'social exclusion' is used to describe what can happen to people who are subject to the most severe problems.  Social exclusion has to do with poverty and joblessness – but it is more than that.  It is about being cut off from the social and economic life of our community, eg  the poorly skilled, unemployed, those living on a low income or living in poor housing.  

DEL's Involvement

In areas where unemployment/deprivation is highest, DEL’s Employment Service works in partnership with the community sector in delivering community-based ‘intermediary’ services for those who are deemed economically inactive.  The LEMIS (Local Employment Intermediary Service) initiative provides client-centred support to individuals to help them address barriers preventing them joining the labour market.  This is in addition to the main programmes offered by DEL throughout Northern Ireland.

Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister external link

Finding Employment/Finding Staff external link

Employersonline external link

Jobcentreonline external link

Anti Poverty (lead Department – OFMdFM)

“Lifetime Opportunities” is the Government’s strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.  The aim is to reduce the risk of poverty and social exclusion by increasing economic opportunities, increasing the capacity of individuals to avail of these, removing barriers to participation and targeting efforts to address the needs of the most vulnerable. People are considered to be living in poverty if their income and resources are so inadequate as to prevent them from enjoying a standard of living, which would be regarded as acceptable by society generally.

DEL's Involvement

DEL provides initiatives/programmes that help individuals to learn and develop their skills which leads to increased capacity to compete for jobs and/or improved capabilities leading to higher paid jobs. DEL also encourages the debt counselling services provided to students by their Further and Higher Education Institutions.

Fuel Poverty (lead Department – DSD)

Fuel Poverty damages health and social well-being and those who suffer most are people in vulnerable groups i.e. the elderly, children and those who are disabled or have a long-term illness.  Northern Ireland has the highest rate of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom, with 1 in 3 households suffering its effects.  However, Government is committed to tackling this issue by combating each of the causes associated with Fuel Poverty: high fuel costs, low income and poor energy efficiency.

DEL's Involvement

DEL, through its programmes and initiatives, aims to increase learning and skills of individuals and prepare people for work.  It is widely accepted that there is a strong association between inactivity and deprivation and social exclusion.  Therefore, DEL aims to increase employment rates and encourage and support more inactive people into work which will raise income levels within households.  

Child Poverty (lead Department - OFMDFM)

The Child Poverty Strategy sets out the actions proposed by the NI Executive to address its obligations contained in the Child Poverty Action 2010.  The Executive believes that all children deserve an equal chance to flourish, learn and grow and to access opportunity that will allow them to realised their full potential.  This is not an easy task and requires joined up working across government and in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors.

DEL's Involvement

DEL's key role is in assisting parents to access training, increase their skills and gain employment with a reasonable wage.