Justice Minister visits Farset International

4.26.00pm GMT Tue 17th Aug 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

The Minister heard the views and experiences of staff from the Farset Respect Project who are involved in community engagement in one of the most difficult interface areas.

The Minister heard the views and experiences of staff from the Farset Respect Project who are involved in community engagement in one of the most difficult interface areas.

David Ford said: "My visit to Farset today has been very worthwhile. I have had the opportunity to meet individuals who have a wealth of community engagement experience who also work with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"Problems such as social deprivation, unemployment and anti-social behaviour are often inter-related, and affect our interface communities in particular.

"Our Executive Departments need to work together to tackle these problems, and an effective CSI programme will be a vital element. But the Executive will also need to work with people on the ground, and encourage and empower them to develop and share their creative local solutions.

"This facility and the projects run by Farset are a good example of how work in local communities, for local communities, will play a crucial role in ensuring that the CSI Programme and other Executive initiatives can be delivered in a way which have positive, tangible results on the ground."