Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has visited John Paul II Youth Club in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.

The visit follows the Minister's announcement in November 2013 that the youth club had been awarded more than £290,000 to enable significant renovation works.

The Minister said: "Youth clubs right across the north do excellent work for young people. Many, such as John Paul II Youth Club in Ardoyne, operate in very disadvantaged areas and they all provide vital services.

-- Advertisement --

"That is why in November I announced an investment of around £12million in 53 voluntary youth settings across the north, including John Paul II Youth Club. I believe the activities, such as sports, drama and music, delivered by clubs like this in a friendly, safe environment, and by committed, hardworking staff and volunteers, play an important part in developing young people as individuals.

"Such work complements formal education and helps ensure that many young people, who might be tempted to commit crimes or be drawn into antisocial behaviour, have worthwhile and fulfilling activities to get involved in. Importantly, these activities are also close to home. My Department's new 'Priorities for Youth' policy launched last October recognises the importance of such youth work and will help embed and enhance its role across the north into the future."

(CD/JP)