Lurgan youth receive welcome funding boost - Ritchie

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA was in Lurgan today to see new facilities at the Clann Eireann Youth Club which have been funded by her Department.

Funding of £165,000 was provided to the Youth Club by the Department for Social Development to help with:

• upgrading of the handball alley, including the installation of lighting;
• provision of a second facility to meet increased demand;
• environmental improvements around the football pitch and tennis court.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This project will bring many benefits to the young people of this area. Youth organisations play a major and in many cases, unsung role in helping to establish social and community cohesion. Through their activities they help to foster a culture of community involvement and volunteering.

“Youth facilities generate a sense of pride and identity within the areas in which they operate and introduce discipline within the young people with whom they engage. They also contribute to the promotion of good health and well being of all those who participate in sporting activity.”

Pointing out that the Department for Social Development has awarded over £972,000 to a range of projects in the Lurgan Neighbourhood Renewal Area, Margaret Ritchie continued: “Projects like this one clearly demonstrate my commitment to tackling disadvantage in some of our most deprived areas. In addition to making financial help available, I want to promote the values of self reliance and social responsibility. I am pleased to work with communities like this one in Lurgan to achieve this.”

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/ 07970 976894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.