Equality Impact Assessment of the Rural Development Programme 2001-2006

To meet its equality obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has carried out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Rural Development Programme (RDP). This forms part of the Department’s Equality Scheme for the year ending 31 March 2005.

In September 2004 DARD published a consultation document on the RDP 2001-2006. The consultation exercise closed on 10 December 2004, and the Department has now considered its responses and made its decision on the way ahead- reflected in Sections 10 and 11 of the 'Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2001-2006, - Final Report'.

The EQIA aims to identify whether the RDP could potentially create differential impacts between Section 75 groups or has the potential to enhance equality of opportunity. If a differential impact is identified in respect of any of the section 75 groups the Department has then considered if there is any way in which it could change the policy or the delivery of the policy to mitigate the impact identified.

The EQIA refers to data from various sources including the 2001 Census, as well as consultations with delivery agents for the individual programmes.

The report concluded that the Programme is open and inclusive and the Department welcomes applications from everyone regardless of Section 75 categories. However, it will promote additional equality of opportunity to other groups especially women and younger people, who were previously underrepresented in the rural development process. The Department will seek to promote good relations in its delivery of the Programme.

The contribution of each project to the promotion of equality of opportunity is built into the project selection criteria. Overall, the Programme will improve the social, economic and environmental conditions of rural Northern Ireland, with far-reaching direct and indirect benefits for all sections of the community.