Ritchie announces multi-million pound boost to deprived areas

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie today announced a multi-million pound funding package for Neighbourhood Renewal projects in some of Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities.

Around £7million will be pumped into deprived communities to tackle disadvantage.

Key areas to be helped include health, education and training young people.

In delivering a much needed boost for disadvantaged communities, the Minister 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.”

Margaret Ritchie said she was determined to provide the leadership that was needed. She said: “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."

The Minister concluded: “The approach I am leading is joined up government at the community level and I will be doing all that I can to ensure that every Department and Agency measures up to the challenge.”

Notes to Editors:

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