Ritchie provides funding boost of £415,000 to small pockets of deprived areas

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today announced a further extension to the Small Pockets of Deprivation programme.

Following an evaluation of the Small Pockets of Deprivation programme around £415,000 is being made available for 17 communities across Northern Ireland in the next financial year.

The funding is targeted to help small pockets of deprivation in otherwise relatively well off areas. This level of spending will ensure that existing projects and the salaries of those individuals employed through the programme will continue to be supported but no new projects will be considered. Spending will include:

• running costs for community centres; and
• salaries for those staff employed using programme funds to deliver services at a local level.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I am aiming to make a real difference to our most deprived communities by working with local people and targeting resources where they are most needed.

“These small pockets of deprivation have problems which need to be tackled and they deserve as much as the larger areas currently funded through my department’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. I want to close the gap between those who live in disadvantaged areas and those who do not and I am pleased therefore, to be able to continue providing that help by allocating additional funding up to 31 March 2011.”

Notes to editors:

1. The funding is provided from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund. “People and Places ” the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy for Northern Ireland can be obtained from the DSD Website http://dsdni.gov.uk .
2. The Small Pockets of Deprivation Programme was launched in April 2006 in response to need highlighted through the process of developing and implementing the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. There are currently 17 Small Pockets of Deprivation across eight District Council areas benefitting from the programme.
3. The total amount spent in the targeted areas in the first three years (from 1 April 06 to 31 March 2009) was £1,876,017.
4. An extension of the programme was approved by Minister on 3 March and a press release announcing funding of £640,000 in total for these areas was released on 4 March 2009.
5. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.