The Housing Minister is being urged not to axe the Social Regeneration fund in Ballymun, Dublin.

Sinn Féin Councillor Noeleen Reilly is calling on Minister Simon Coveney to give a commitment the funding will be continued in future years.

She said: "The Regeneration in Ballymun was about much more than the replacement of the flats with houses and apartments.

"It was about Social, Economic and Physical regeneration. Much of that work has not been completed particularly in the area of Economic and Social Regeneration.

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"The government is investing funds in other areas of the city to combat social disadvantage while removing those resources from the community in Ballymun.

"It is totally unacceptable and to be honest makes no sense whatsoever.

"The €1.7 million which will be invested up until 2017 goes towards 17 different organisations in the area which cover a wide range of services.

"The fund is used to help the most marginalised people in Ballymun, particularly young people, helping them with after school programmes, making the transition from primary to secondary school easier and also developing talents in the areas music, dance, art and sport."

(CD/MH)