An umbrella group representing loyalist paramilitaries has said it met with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
A delegation from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), which represents the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando, met with Mr Lyons to discuss “economic deprivation, educational disadvantage and infrastructure neglect” in loyalist and unionist communities, the group said on Wednesday.
It comes after the LCC met with Education Minister Paul Givan last month, news of which sparked criticism.
LCC chair David Campbell said: “The delegation asked the minister 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.”
Suzanne Breen: ‘SF scandal happened on Michelle O’Neill’s watch’
The Department for Communities has been contacted for comment.
The Department of Education said last month’s meeting between the LCC and Mr Givan was to discuss “a range of issues relating to education underachievement in loyalist areas and share information on the Department’s RAISE programme and other relevant initiatives”.
However, the LCC said it also used the meeting to raise concerns about plans for an Irish language school in east Belfast and urged Mr Givan to stop its proposed development.
Mr Givan later defended holding a meeting with the LCC and said nobody other than him will dictate which schools should open or close.