SDLP MLA claims 'Derry' name change victory

A SOUTH Londonderry SDLP MLA claims to have successfully forced the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to include "Co. Derry" alongside "Co Londonderry" as an address option on online agriculture and rural development applications.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2010, 10:44 BST

Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone welcomed what he described as a U-turn by Sinn Fin Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew on the "'Derry' name change" following pressure from the SDLP.

Mr McGlone said he flagged up the problem to the Minister after complaints from constituents who were only given "Co. Londonderry" as an address option on their application.

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He said: "It is a disgrace that applicants were denied the opportunity to apply for funding, by the Sinn Fin 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."

Related topics:DerrySDLP