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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
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