Patsy McGlone 2nd August 2010

McGlone welcomes Gildernew U-turn on ‘Derry’ name change

SDLP Deputy Leader and Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said he is pleased that, after pressure from the SDLP, Sinn Féin Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has included “Co Derry” as an address option on online agriculture and rural development applications. Mr McGlone flagged up the problem to the Minister after complaints from constituents who were only given “Co. Londonderry” as an address option on their application.

He said: “It is a disgrace that applicants were denied the opportunity to apply for funding, by the Sinn Féin Minister’s department, to rural development programmes using their Co. Derry address.

“Thankfully after lobbying from the SDLP, the Minister has seen sense and has now decided to change the county list description from ‘Co. Londonderry’ to ‘Co.Derry/Londonderry’.

“However this will not take immediate effect. Consequently many people applying for funding to meet September deadlines will still have to use the ‘Co Londonderry’ option online or submit a paper based application for which they may receive fewer points for funding.

“In an era when we are trying to create a more inclusive society and encourage people to make funding applications online, it is essential that Executive Ministers have systems in place to ensure that everyone is given the option to submit their preferred address description.”

ENDS