The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) has requested DUP Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons to conduct a ‘Needs Analysis’ in economically deprived loyalist and unionist communities.
A delegation from the group, which represents loyalist paramilitary groups, including the UDA and UVF, met Mr Lyons on Tuesday.
The meeting comes a fortnight after DUP Education Minister Paul Givan was heavily criticised for meeting the organisation, which expressed objections to the opening of the integrated Irish-Medium Scoil na Seolta nursery and primary school in east Belfast.
In a press release following Tuesday’s meeting a LCC spokesperson said Mr Lyons had been asked to “consider conducting a fresh Needs Analysis on loyalist and unionist communities that continue to suffer economic deprivation, educational disadvantage, and infrastructure neglect”.
“This analysis should inform the minister on where scarce resources should be targeted to best address these problems and should ideally have the input of the Departments of Education and the Economy as well as his own department.
“The delegation also asked the minister to urgently look at how best new social housing can be provided in areas like the Shankill, Sandy Row, and Suffolk where large sites have been available for years but remain unbuilt.”
In the summer, it emerged Mr Lyons had declined an invitation from the GAA to attend the All-Ireland Football final in Croke Park.
It was not until he was seven months in office Minister Lyons attended his first GAA event, the Ulster GAA Games for All Festival in County Antrim, an event for children and young players with additional needs, on September 8.
