The British government has announced details of a £30 million scheme aimed at improving conditions for disadvantaged unionist communities in Northern Ireland.
Social Development Minister David Hanson published an action plan in response to the report of a taskforce that looked into problems in Protestant working-class communities.
Around £30 million (€49 million) has been earmarked to be spent over the coming two years, together with, and linked to, longer-term initiatives. The minister unveiled more than 60 measures aimed at tackling disadvantage, especially in what the government is calling Protestant-Unionist-Loyalist communities.
Top of the list of problems is educational disadvantage, with a lack of social cohesion and civic leadership also key factors.
Studies show that of the 15 electoral wards in Northern Ireland with the worst educational attainment, 13 are predominantly Protestant.
There has been a growing perception within the unionist-loyalist communities that they have lost out to nationalists since the signing of the Belfast Agreement and as the government has sought to resolve the Northern Ireland question.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern are due in Armagh on Thursday to try and get the Stormont Assembly up and running again.
PA