£7m funding for renewal schemes

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Funding will continue for the Neighbourhood Renewal scheme which assists disadvantaged areas in Belfast, it has been announced.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has earmarked £7m for a total of 15 projects across the city.

These include the Lenadoon Women's Group and the Donegall Pass Training, Education and Employment programme.

Neighbourhood renewal provides funding for services such as training in disadvantaged areas.

More than 80 contracts are set to be in place this week with voluntary and community sector organisations.

The minister has promised to ensure payments are processed as quickly as possible.

"Margaret Ritchie, in her statement, also says she expects to spend, with tight controls, £30m on neighbourhood renewal in Belfast over the next three years," said BBC NI political correspondent Martina Purdy.

"And hopes to extend contracts in other areas of disadvantage including Londonderry, in the coming weeks.

"The minister faced criticism, particularly from Sinn Féin, after she sought appraisals before continuing with the funding."

Ms Ritchie said this was to ensure resources were focussed on worthwhile services and complained her decision had been misrepresented as some kind of political vetting.