Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie has pledged her ongoing commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal in Enniskillen.

The Minister was commenting on funding of £140,879 awarded to Enniskillen's Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships for various projects that deliver local services through community, economic, social and physical renewal.

The projects include the Aisling Centre's Little Darling Crèche; the Enniskillen and Omagh Health and Well-Being Project; a range of works to improve the Cornagrade area of Enniskillen, including improving car parking, traffic circulation and the appearance of the area; secretarial support for the Enniskillen Neighbourhood Partnership; a contribution to the running costs for the Community Alcohol Support Project; and funds for some minor works to the Devenish Partnership Forum base in Kilmacormick.

Welcoming the funds, the Minister said: "Neighbourhood Renewal is about tackling the core causes of deprivation in our society, and I am dedicated to ensuring that the people living in deprived areas are given the same life chances as everyone else.

"A better quality of life and opportunities to attain education through the provision of local services is fundamental to this strategy. I am delighted that Neighbourhood Renewal is making a difference to the lives of people in Enniskillen."

By developing an inter-agency approach, Enniskillen Neighbourhood Partnership has successfully witnessed work commencing on a diverse range of projects that seek to improve the environment, people's health, educational attainment and to develop local communities.

Assistance on implementation is being provided through the voluntary and community sector, the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the Western Education and Library Board, Department for Regional Development Roads Service, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Fermanagh District Council and others.

The Minister expressed her appreciation of the good work of the Neighbourhood Partnership, but went on to acknowledge the need for continued engagement with all statutory organisations responsible for the delivery of key services:.

"I compliment the inter-agency approach that is being taken to drive forward Neighbourhood Renewal in Enniskillen.

However, if we are to tackle the long-term spiral of deprivation, we must maintain and indeed further develop the relations with and commitment from all statutory organisations that deliver key services in our Neighbourhood Renewal Areas."

The Enniskillen Neighbourhood Partnership successfully completed an Action Plan in September last year. In line with the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, it seeks to improve the quality for life for people who have not been prospering as well as some others in Northern Ireland.