Minister Margaret Ritchie outlined that the funding will help to upgrade walkways and provide a safe surface at the play area in the Railway Park.
With the total cost of the project works valued at £40,000, the Minister congratulated the Dungannon Neighbourhood Partnership on securing the funding and said: “I fully recognise and appreciate the many hours of hard work carried out by members of the Dungannon Neighbourhood Partnership. What has been achieved so far is the result of local communities working in partnership with government and statutory agencies to help shape the regeneration of their local areas.”
She went on to say: “Good progress has been made in the delivery of services through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and I am very pleased that residents in the Ballygawley Road Estate, Fairmont Park and Milltown are benefiting in their everyday lives from my Department’s investment.”
Dungannon Neighbourhood Partnership completed an action plan in March 2007 and the recent award brings the total approved funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund to £388,500.
The Minister, confirming her continued support for these areas, said: “I intend to ensure that the Neighbourhood Renewal strategy makes a real difference to the quality of life for people living in this area. I am committed to ensuring that the progress already made continues apace for the benefit of all of the local residents.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. Its objectives include:
- 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. The initiatives which have or are currently being supported include a range of social, educational, physical and community capacity building projects.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
