Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced that her Department is on track to spend over £3.6million on projects to tackle deprivation in parts of Armagh and Down.

The Minister made her announcement during visits to Neighbourhood Renewal projects in Armagh, Lurgan and Downpatrick on Friday.

Speaking at the official opening of the Drumarg Community House in Armagh, the Minister paid tribute to the community sector for the important part they are playing in helping to deliver the Neighbourhood Renewal initiative across Northern Ireland.

She said: “One of the key factors in successfully tackling deprivation and assisting regeneration is through a partnership approach involving the public, private and community sectors. I recognise the important role which the community sector has to play as an equal partner in this process and I am committed to ensuring that local people have the capacity to contribute to the decision making process.”

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Later during a visit to Lurgan, the Minister was shown the site of a multi use games area which is one of three such facilities being provided in the Lurgan and Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Areas at a cost of over £385,000.

The Minister ended the day with a visit to the Ballymote Centre where she announced a project to provide call centre training for unemployed people in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal area.

“Call centres offer flexible working conditions which suit a wide range of people. This project will provide opportunities for unemployed people to access employment in this ever growing sector.

"These projects are part of a package of measures for the Southern Neighbourhood Renewal Area which amount to around £3.6million in the current financial year. This is a clear indication of my determination to tackle inequalities and improve the lifetime opportunities of those living in deprived communities,” she said.

(VB)