Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced £2.5m capital funding support for Mencap; a charity that works to improve the lives of people with learning difficulties.

The investment will go towards a new centre, offering support services to children and young people with learning disabilities and their families.

Speaking as he visited Mencap headquarters, Minister Poots said: "Mencap does important work across Northern Ireland in supporting children and young people with a learning disability and their families. Early this year I visited Mencap’s nursery at Segal House in Belfast and was humbled by the passion and dedication of the families, staff and former clients. It was clear to see that appropriate support, stimulation and early intervention can make a very real difference to the development of children with a learning disability.

"That is why I am so delighted to announce £2.5m for the development of a new centre. The benefits this facility will bring cannot be underestimated. As well as greatly enhancing the lives of those children who use it, parents will also benefit from the emotional and practical support that will be offered through the centre.:

The new facility will include an early intervention service and a shared activity space for children, young people and their families.

Welcoming the investment, Maureen Piggot, director of Mencap in Northern Ireland said: "This funding is critical to the development of a new world class centre of excellence that will benefit children with a learning disability, their families and the community for years to come. It will enable us to move to new premises to continue the work on early intervention and inclusion we began nearly fifty years ago, which is a key area of Mencap’s strategic work."

(IT/CD)