Lurgan children will benefit from new play area - Attwood

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today officially opened a new playground and sensory garden at the Naiscoil Chois Locha Irish Language Nursery School in Lurgan.

The £54,000 project, financed by the Department’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, allowed the extension of a garden to the front of the School and provides;
- new outdoor play equipment and soft surfacing;
- a new sensory garden area;
- a new entrance ramp and
- storage facilities for new mobile play equipment..

Alex Attwood said: "The facilities provided will stimulate creativity and build confidence through play in a secure and safe environment. They will play a valuable part in preparing children for the important move into primary education. I recognise that if we are to tackle the long term deprivation we must improve the life chances of our children. It is vital that regardless of their background, they are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Childcare is an essential piece of the jigsaw that will bring about that full potential”

The Minister concluded by thanking all those involved in making the project happen. He said: "I would like to acknowledge the role played by the school, its management committee and the Southern Education Board in bringing this project forward. I would also like to pay tribute to the Lurgan Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board who had the vision to include this project in their action plan for regenerating the area.

"To date the Department for Social Development has spent almost £4million on a range of projects to tackle disadvantage in the Lurgan Neighbourhood Renewal Area. This is a clear example of my Department’s commitment to assisting the regeneration of the most deprived communities in Northern Ireland."

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
   Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
   Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
   Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
   Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
2. News Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or 07970 976 894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.