Belfast City Council has welcomed the Environment Minster's announcement that £300,000 is to be given to council to help tackle derelict buildings.

The number of these buildings has risen substantially in recent years due to the downturn in the economy and the collapse of the property market. The council has been working proactively in dealing with dereliction and has already invested substantial resources in addressing the problem in the last few years.

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Councillor Pat McCarthy, chairman of the council's Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: "We have been working with officers to deal with the problems caused by dereliction across the city.

"We know these buildings are a blight to communities, hinder regeneration and make the city unattractive. We welcome the Minister's keen interest in this area and his assistance in supporting our work, and can assure him the money will be put to good use for the benefit of the city."

(CD/GK)