11/02/2014

£33m Towards NI Communities

£33m is to be invested to improve community services and tackle poverty across Northern Ireland.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister announced the money would go towards 12 capital projects and 11 revenue projects through the Social Investment Fund (SIF) programme.

First Minister Peter Robinson said: "I welcome this £33m investment in projects to deliver the Social Investment Fund programme. An enormous amount of work has been done by Steering Groups to identify projects that will address the issues affecting the communities that are most in need in each area.

"Today’s announcement of the first 23 projects confirms where almost half of the Social Investment Fund will be spent. We are determined to see all £80m of this important fund allocated in the coming months."

The listed projects have been identified as priorities by Steering Groups in each zone.

Letters of offer are to be issued to the successful projects following completion of verification and governance checks.

Further projects are expected to be ready to start later this year.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Through the Steering Groups local people have identified and prioritised the areas of need to ensure the maximum impact of the overall £80m Social Investment Fund.

"This is only the start and I am confident this funding will enable groups to deliver real benefits for people on the ground. The funding will result in jobs, training and improved facilities for many of the hardest hit areas of our community."

(IT/MH)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
16 October 2013
£1m Carrier Bag Levy To Transform Environmental Projects
£1m received through the carrier bag levy has been allocated by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to go towards a fund to tackle environmental issues in Northern Ireland. The Challenge Fund provides funding for communities and organisations to develop local environmental projects across the region.
22 October 2013
Call For Clarification On Social Investment Fund
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has called on the DUP and Sinn Fein to come to an agreement on the needs-based criteria against which the £80m Social Investment Fund will be allocated.
04 July 2013
£1.5m For Belfast Alcohol Abuse Projects
£1.5m is to be spent over the next four years on projects to address the harm caused by alcohol abuse within the Belfast Trust area. Health Minister Edwin Poots today officially launched four new projects to be funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Impact of Alcohol Programme.
10 March 2017
Call For £120m Fund To Be Invested In Social Care
Much of an additional £120 million fund for Northern Ireland should be used to tackle the local adult social care system, according to Ulster Unionist Party representative Robbie Butler. Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled details of the Spring Budget on Wednesday, 08 March.