Minister Ritchie announces third phase to 'Areas at Risk' programme

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced details of a further five areas to receive support under Phase III of the Areas at Risk Pilot Programme.

The programme is targeted at areas that fall outside the top 10% most disadvantaged but are ‘at risk’ of descending into instability, crisis and decline.

Having visited a number of the Phase I and II areas and following feedback from Assembly colleagues, Minister Ritchie said: “I am pleased to announce a third phase to the Areas at Risk Programme. This programme aims to give a voice to local people and communities who feel they have little or no stake in our society. Communities who feel isolated, neglected and left behind will greatly benefit from the delivery of ‘areas at risk’.

"This programme focuses on building social cohesion and community capacity and it aims to develop confidence within communities to help address issues such as inter and intra community conflict. I am pleased to be able to make this funding available today.”

The programme is very much grounded in the community and uses a ‘bottom up’ approach to deal with sensitive and complex issues that are having a serious and detrimental impact on the lives of people living in the target communities.

The Minister went on to say: “Working with local community activists, the communities themselves identify the issues and problems and with the support of my department, determine the most appropriate way in which to address the identified issues. Through the provision of this programme there is a definitive commitment from within my department and within the communities themselves to make people’s lives better.”

The third phase of the programme includes: Doury Road (Ballymena), Lettershandoney and Strathfoyle (Derry/Londonderry), the Ferris Park area (Larne Town), and Beechfield (Donaghadee). This brings the total number of target areas to 27.

Notes to editors

1. The ‘Areas at Risk Pilot Programme’ (AaR) was launched in June 2006 to provide support to communities outside the Noble 10% indicators of most disadvantaged but risk of economic, social or environmental decline. The programme focuses on building social cohesion within the area; confidence in dealing with neighbouring communities and building a wider sense of belonging.
2. The pilot programme has a budget of £2million over two years.
3. The nine pilot Areas at Risk identified under phase one are: Sydenham (not previously covered by Neighbourhood Renewal), Taughmonagh (Belfast) Seacourt Estate, (Larne), Ballynoshollag (Londonderry), Enogh in Limavady (Greystone Road, Enogh Park, Scroggy Close), Dunclug (Ballymena), West Portadown , Rathenraw Estate (Antrim), Dhu Varren (Portrush).
4. The areas identified under phase two include: Lower Whitewell, (North Belfast), Ballybeen, (Dundonald), Gilford, (Banbridge), Annadale, (South Belfast), Scrabo, (Newtownards), Killicomaine, (Portadown), Alexander/Lisanally, (Armagh), Ashfield Gardens, (Fintona), Seymour Hill, (Dunmurry), Craigyhill and Antiville, (Larne), Harryville, (Ballymena) and Caw/Nelson Drive and Lincoln Courts, (Derry/Londonderry).
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