Interface areas receive millions to combat legacy of conflict

Some of the province’s most deprived areas are set to benefit from a £12 million funding package to help tackle the legacy of Northern Ireland’s thirty years of conflict.

Twelve communities, including interface areas in east and west Belfast are to receive in the region of £1 million to promote urban regeneration.

Parts of Londonderry, Strabane, Downpatrick, Coleraine, Craigavon and Ballymena will also benefit from the funding.

The money is separate from a separate EU project announced earlier this year called Inner North Belfast which will distribute another £11m amongst areas such as Crumlin, New Lodge, Water Works, Ardoyne, St Anne’s and Duncairn.

Announcing the cash boost today Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds said tackling disadvantage and building communities were key challenges for his department.

"The 12 neighbourhoods selected for financial help are among the most deprived electoral wards in Northern Ireland and eight of the neighbourhoods are interface areas," he said.

"Regeneration can only be successful when government works with local communities and communities will be at the heart of this funding initiative."

The money will be delivered through local partnership structures and Mr Dodds said it would be based on a community-led assessment of the needs of each area.

He added: "This money presents an opportunity to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society through the improvement of economic, environmental and social conditions of neighbourhoods suffering the worst effects of the conflict. "

The minister also confirmed that his department's new urban regeneration strategy for Northern Ireland would be published later in the year.

He said it would provide a framework for targeting resources at other neighbourhoods suffering high levels of deprivation and social exclusion.

(AMcE)