Ministers have launched a public consultation on government plans for tackling social exclusion and poverty in Northern Ireland.

The new strategy is not a spending programme, but aims to shift funds within existing projects to most benefit the poorest people.

It also aims to decrease unemployment and increase employability and address inequalities in such areas as health and housing.

"Despite the increasing prosperity generated by an improving economy in Northern Ireland, many people continue to experience the hardship caused by poverty and associated disadvantage, and are unable to enjoy a decent standard of living and quality of life," said secretary of state Paul Murphy.

"Much progress has been made in tackling inequalities but more remains to be done.  In particular, poverty continues to be concentrated in certain geographical areas and among certain groups, such as people with a disability and lone parent families.

"Poverty is no exclusive to those who are unemployed - many people in low paid work live at the threshold of poverty. Also, inequalities between the two communities still exist but not to the same extent as previously.

"There has been a significant fall in unemployment levels among both Catholics and Protestants but with a faster rate of decline among Catholics. This has produced a steady narrowing of the unemployment gap in recent years.

"The government is committed to tackling poverty and disadvantage and in particular to eliminating child poverty by the year 2020.  In Northern Ireland, this will require actions and initiatives across the full range of public service areas, a shared and clear strategic direction and a means of monitoring progress towards this."

Consultation

A public consultation exercise will run until September 3 and will include seminars and meetings to discuss possible measures such as the establishment of a group to examine the issues affecting lone parents.

In addition a new priority focus on financial inclusion will be addressed.

"Ideally, a devolved executive having started the work, should be in a position to continue it," added Murphy.

"But because of the importance of the policy, we must press on to the next stage of public discussion on the review proposals.

"I would welcome views from as wide a range of people as possible."