A total of £700,000 has been secured to develop and upgrade community buildings in the Fermanagh, Strabane, Omagh and Limavady areas in Northern Ireland.

Funded by the Northern Ireland Executive's Social Investment Fund, the Community Premises Support project will provide financial assistance to voluntary groups of up to £20,000.

Speaking at the launch of the project at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, First Minister Arlene Foster said: "I very much welcome the launch of the Social Investment Fund Community Premises Project which means that over £700,000 is now available across the council areas of Omagh, Fermanagh, Strabane and Limavady to improve and upgrade buildings used to provide services for local communities.

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"Today's announcement is tangible evidence of the Executive being able to deliver improved facilities for local people West of the Bann in the very near future and means that community organisations will have the opportunity to become self-sustaining, giving them more scope to provide a wider range of activities."

NI's Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir added: "The Executive is committed to supporting rural communities through the Community Premises Support project and the capital projects committed to date will improve over 100 premises including the 26 that this project will deliver."

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer said: "This Community Premises Support project will provide voluntary groups with up to £20,000 to help develop or upgrade community facilities in these areas.

"It is funded by the Executive's Social Investment Fund and is further proof of the genuine positive improvement locally elected ministers are making to our communities."

(CD/LM)