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MAGINNESS WELCOMES BELFAST NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUNDING SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has welcomed the announcement by the Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie that schemes to boost disadvantaged parts of Belfast will receive more than £7 million. Mr Maginness, who is a member of the Social Development Committee, said Sinn Fein representatives were guilty of creating unnecessary stress and worry by accusing the Minister of political vetting. He said: “The Minister’s announcement will come as a great boost to those living in deprived and disadvantaged areas. “Neighbourhood renewal has always been about services rather than groups and help those most in need was and is the Minister’s main priority. “Neighbourhood Renewal was designed to close the gap between the most impoverished parts of our community and the rest of society. “Having inherited a complex set of funding arrangements from Direct Rule it was vitally important, with the level of investment involved, that we ensure there is value for money in these schemes and that best use was being made of available resources. “I applaud the Minister’s diligence and determination in respect to making this decision and I have no doubt many will feel the benefit of this announcement. “Those parties who accused the Minister of political interference and vetting should hang their heads in shame. “This would have been in direct contravention of her Ministerial pledge and a contradiction of her proven track record of delivery as a Minister. “She has demonstrated an unstinting commitment to people who are in social and housing need and it is a bit rich for the likes of Sinn Fein to make ridiculous allegations that she has created undue anxiety in the community. “At no time did she order a review and those who suggested she did are responsible for this unnecessary worry and stress. “The Minister has made clear on several occasions she played no role in individual approval of projects. “Sinn Fein should focus in getting their own house in order and realise that responsibility for neighbourhood renewal is a shared one. “One must remind representatives, including those from Sinn Fein that their Ministers must too step up to the plate in terms of delivery.” ENDS
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