Wall murals in NI to receive government cash

The government has announced a £3.3 million scheme to replace paramilitary wall murals.

The cash, part of a communities action plan scheme, will see grants provided to help communities replace paramilitary wall murals with more positive community images.

Social Development Minister, David Hanson said: "The Re-Imaging Communities Programme is one of 62 actions included in the Renewing Communities Action Plan. I believe that each of these, in its own way, will contribute to a better future for Northern Ireland – a shared future.

"Renewing Communities sets a challenging agenda for change for all of us. We want to improve life prospects, build community capacity, improve public service and ultimately free communities from paramilitary influence. This will require a genuinely joined up approach from government, a good example of this we can see in this announcement today."

Culture Minister, Maria Eagle said: “The purpose of the ‘Re-Imaging Communities Programme’ will be to engage local people and their communities in finding ways of replacing divisive murals and emblems with more positive imagery.

"New murals and public art will transform parks, housing estates and built-up areas across Northern Ireland, celebrating the aspirations of the whole community and helping people feel part of their own local community."

The new programme will support a wide range of community led projects with grants of up to £5,000 for small projects and up to £50,000 for larger projects. It builds on the success of the Arts Council’s previous ‘Art of Regeneration’ programme.

Previously some paramilitary wall murals in Belfast have been replaced with images celebrating local culture and well-known figures such as author C.S Lewis and football legend George Best.

(SP/KMcA)