Derry to benefit from £1.4m funding boost

A £1.4 million funding package to address social and economic needs in the Greater Shantallow area of Derry has been unveiled by the Department for Social Development.

Cash for the integrated development operation was granted under the Executive Programme Funds, following a bid submitted by the Londonderry Development Office, on behalf of a consortium of key statutory and community sector partners.

Declan O’Hare, the Londonderry Development Officer, said he was delighted at the award from the Social Inclusion and Community Regeneration Fund. He said: "This is only the start of making a real impact on the Shantallow and other neighbouring estates. This initial amount of £1,448,400 could generate a total funding package worth £4 million for the area over the next three years.

"Housing estates on the outer north of the city, including Shantallow, Carnhill and Galliagh, will seen significant changes for the better as we tackle all aspects of deprivations. We are keen that action on the ground will start as soon as possible and have ambitious targets to meet over the next three years."

Some of the Development Office’s key partners in the outer north operation include Derry City Council, Derry Northside Development Trust, the Local Strategy Partnership, Foyle Health & Social Services Trust, LEDU and Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Praising the role of the partners in developing the project, Mr O’Hare said: "This initiative represents a new approach to tackling the needs of disadvantaged communities. We all have become acutely aware of the unique and complex problems facing the city’s outer ring of estates and our capacity to address those problems more effectively will be strengthened by working together rather than in isolation.

"We intend to closely involve the community sector and use the latest research statistics to carry out a programme of activities to address the specific needs of disadvantaged groups of people including the health, education, training & employment, social care and other key needs." (CL)