£33m Towards NI Communities

£33m is to be invested to improve community services and tackle poverty across Northern Ireland.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister announced the money would go towards 12 capital projects and 11 revenue projects through the Social Investment Fund (SIF) programme.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I welcome this £33m investment in projects to deliver the Social Investment Fund programme. An enormous amount of work has been done by Steering Groups to identify projects that will address the issues affecting the communities that are most in need in each area.

"Today’s announcement of the first 23 projects confirms where almost half of the Social Investment Fund will be spent. We are determined to see all £80m of this important fund allocated in the coming months."

The listed projects have been identified as priorities by Steering Groups in each zone.

Letters of offer are to be issued to the successful projects following completion of verification and governance checks.

Further projects are expected to be ready to start later this year.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Through the Steering Groups local people have identified and prioritised the areas of need to ensure the maximum impact of the overall £80m Social Investment Fund.

"This is only the start and I am confident this funding will enable groups to deliver real benefits for people on the ground. The funding will result in jobs, training and improved facilities for many of the hardest hit areas of our community."

(IT/MH)