Ritchie announces funding for Dungannon West Renewal Ltd

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a funding boost of over £60,000 to help people with disabilities and older people in the Dungannon area.

The money will help upgrade the Dungannon West Renewal Ltd community building to make it comply with Disability Access Regulations. This will ensure that people with disabilities and older people can benefit fully from the range of services that Dungannon West Renewal Ltd offer, including:

• accredited training courses;
• health and fitness training; and
• awareness seminars.

The funding will also provide more lettable space which can be used by local community organisations.

Margaret Ritchie said: "By contributing to this scheme, my Department is demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life for people who live in the local Dungannon area. I welcome being able to support Dungannon West Renewal Ltd by awarding funding for this project.

“I want to target resources in a way which has maximum impact and I want to work with communities to achieve that. The upgrade of this community building, based at the heart of the community, will offer invaluable services to local people."

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.

The Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership is one of those funded by DSD.

2. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.