Delargy hails Oakgrove primary for 'breaking down barriers and divisions’ in shared future debate

Mr. Delargy praised the Waterside primary in a debate on a Private Members’ motion from Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw that called for a ‘strategic framework for a shared future’ to be brought forward to deliver ‘public-sector reform’ and ‘tackle the costs of division within society’ in the North.

“As a former teacher, most of my experience prior to coming here was in the education sector. I was privileged to teach in an integrated school — Oakgrove Integrated Primary School in Derry — and see its huge benefits to the community and how it worked practically, on a day-to-day basis, at breaking down barriers and divisions. That is very positive,” he said.

The Sinn Féin MLA spoke of efforts to break down communal divides in the Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street and Fountain areas of Derry.

"I come from an Urban Villages area: the Moor in Derry. There has been positive development there. In the Fountain, we have seen the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre, and we have seen the redevelopment of the city centre and the city walls.

"In the areas that I come from, we have seen the redevelopment of Meenan Square and of Central Drive in Creggan. One of the biggest things that has happened as a result of Urban Villages, which we need to continue bringing into other communities, is that, by tackling sectarianism and intolerance, we have managed to tackle some of the economic disparity across the North.

"Looking at the whole socio-economic piece around that is fundamental. I recognise and welcome that that is very much part of the motion,” he declared.

SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin, backing the motion, said: “The old divisions no longer hold as true as they once did, and we can all see that our society is changing around us.

"That includes the fact that we are home to an increasing number of new communities from around the world. That diversity is to be celebrated, and it is a sign of a Northern Ireland that now looks different from its past.”

78% in Derry/Strabane say they back integrated, according to LucidTalk poll conducted for Integrated Education Fund