A Sinn Féin motion calling on the Social Development Minister to 'bring forward proposals to secure Neighbourhood Renewal funding beyond March 2011' will be debating in the Assembly Chamber this afternoon.
The motion comes after a protest by Neighbourhood Renewal groups at Stormont last week.
Speaking ahead of the debate DSD spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín MLA said;
“The Neighbourhood Renewal programme has become a key element on service provision in many of our most deprived communities. The delivery of childcare, health and education schemes, and countless other frontline services however is under threat due to funding realities.
"These are funding realities that can be addressed. As this cycle of funding comes to a close in March there is an onus on the main funding body, the department of Social Development and the Minister, Alex Attwood, to step up to the mark and save these essential frontline services.
"These are services that operate within these communities, on their doorstep and are some of the most accessible for those who are in need of them.
"What Alex Atwood as Minister must do now is to ensure that Neighbourhood Renewal will be included in his budget beyond March 2011. To do any less will be depriving communities of much needed and utilised services.
I have no doubt that the many groups and people involved will be watching today’s debate with keen interest.”
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