The funding will help provide additional support in classroom as well as activities and courses to improve knowledge and skills in local schools and youth services.
It will also provide after schools activities and summer activities for the young people in the area, a high proportion of who come from the travelling community. This will provide a number of safe places for young people to interact and socialise together.
Margaret Ritchie said: “This project will provide real and significant benefits to people in the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area. The Neighbourhood Renewal process aims to involve everyone in the area. Too frequently young people and others can be left out of the process. Work of this nature helps to stabilise and integrate communities.
“By contributing to this project, my department is demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life and social conditions for young people living in the area of Coalisland.”
Cllr Molloy MLA, Chair of Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership said: “Educational improvement is a key component of improving the quality of lives in Coalisland.
"We are delighted that DSD Neighbourhood Renewal funding and support is able to help those who need it most. It is great to see Education initiatives come forward which include key projects aimed at improving numeracy and literacy but also other elements including after school clubs, enhanced IT facilities, local history classes and initiatives for local young people who might not normally take an interest in education.
"Anything that can help enhance and bring together those living in disadvantage is to be welcomed. On behalf of the Partnership I would like to thank DSD Neighbourhood Renewal for making this possible.”
The programme will commence in May 2009 and run until 31 March 2010.
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. 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. 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.
