18/02/2009

£7m For Belfast Communities

A £7m package has been unveiled to tackle deprivation in communities across Belfast.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie (pictured) said the funding would go towards health projects, education and training for young people.

She said: "I believe our communities, particularly our most disadvantaged communities, deserve the best possible services to address the inequalities they face.

"Even in the current recession, it is no longer good enough to talk about protecting jobs in the community and voluntary sector.

"My focus is squarely on service delivery; people working in community and voluntary organisations need to demonstrate that they also have that sense of purpose."

The Minister said she was determined to provide the leadership that was needed.

"The services that will be supported will be of enormous benefit to many people across the most disadvantaged communities right across Belfast.

"I will continue to invest in the very best targeted services in order to break the cycle of disadvantage," she said.

(PR/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 October 2022
New £750,000 Living Places and Spaces Fund Announced
A second £750,000 Living Places and Spaces Fund has been announced to support local communities to create more sustainable and resilient community spaces which not only improve the environment but increase awareness of the benefits of blue green infrastructure.
29 March 2023
Paramilitaries Must Be 'Disrupted And Dismantled' – SDLP
The SDLP has committed to support the PSNI to "disrupt and dismantle" paramilitary organisations.
18 May 2021
Libraries Prepare To Re-Open
Libraries are preparing to re-open on 24 May, after being forced to close due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "Libraries are a vital resource at the heart of our communities.
24 January 2018
Public Transport Under Threat In Rural Communities
Rural communities across Northern Ireland Ireland may lose their bus services as Translink said it can no longer afford to run them. The firm said it has been drawing from its own reserves to keep the services running at a cost of £13 million per year.
14 May 2024
Immunosuppressed People Urged To Get Vaccine Booster
People who are immunosuppressed have been urged to top up their COVID-19 protection this spring.