The Minister has committed a further £120,000 funding which will enable a range of intervention measures to continue up to end of August 2008. This will allow work focussed on addressing the effects of anti-social behaviour in the Ballymurphy area to continue.
The Minister was speaking following the announcement by the Education Minister that she intends to develop a full service school network in the Ballymurphy area of the Upper Springfield.
Emphasising the need for the joined-up Government approach to continue Margaret Ritchie said: “The blight of anti social behaviour and criminality has been visited upon the people of the Ballymurphy for too long. My Department along with officials from the Departments of Education and Health Social Services and Public Safety have been working closely to take forward proposals which had emerged from engagement with the Ballymurphy Community. I see the Full Service school network model as an effective response to the problems encountered by the people of the Ballymurphy area. It will be important for other agencies and stakeholders in the community to work alongside Departments to bring this to fruition.
“The need to confront those participating in criminality as well as taking effective measures to combat the effects on the wider community was recognised at an early stage. I fully endorse this approach and I have asked my officials to extend funding to enable a range of intervention measures to continue up to the end of August next year.
“This will bring the total package of funding from my Department which focuses on the impacts of the ‘feud’ up to approximately £398,000.”
The Minister continued: “This funding will allow time for the full service school network in the Ballymurphy area to be properly embedded. I want to see Government departments and agencies continuing to work together so that the full benefits of this approach can be realised.”
Margaret Ritchie also highlighted the importance of building on relationships between community, voluntary and statutory organisations. She expressed her desire to see local community groups and voluntary organisations continue to have an input into how problems in the Ballymurphy area are being addressed.
She said: “Many voices have to be heard and everyone has their part to play. Many community and voluntary organisations have already committed time and resources to helping the people of Ballymurphy.
“I have been discussing with the GAA recently the contribution it can make to community development in marginalised communities. I am pleased therefore to announce that they are to fund two community focussed posts which will centre their activities in the Ballymurphy area. I understand that they are also exploring the possibility of developing a sports facility in the area. This level of commitment must be welcomed and congratulated.”
Notes to Editors:
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