Robin Newton MBE MLA

OFMDFM has today unveiled funding package designed to help the Ballymac Playzone project, a project run by a local community group in inner East Belfast for young children.  The project has been threatened with immediate closure after the Department of Health made the decision to pull the funding for the project at the beginning of this financial year but the First Minister’s department has stepped in with an emergency funding package for three months to enable the project organisers – Ballymac Community Group – to work with department officials in seeking out new funding streams. Robin Newton MLA, Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister, who has been working closely with those involved in the project to secure this package, welcomed the announcement. Speaking today Robin Newton said:

“This project is situated in one of he most socially-deprived wards in Northern Ireland.  The decision of the Department of Health to axe funding for this valuable and important scheme has caused great consternation and alarm throughout the community.  In unveiling this funding package what we are hoping to achieve is time to allow the Ballymac Community Group to access additional funding streams and do what is necessary as an organisation to keep their valuable work going.  We have funded a number of other schemes also administered by Playboard following the decision of DHSSPS to stop funding.  The department’s decision on these issues are putting huge pressures on groups and threatening their very existence.

Devolution is about power resting in local hands and making decisions for the benefit of local communities.  I am pleased that we have reached this stage and I will continue to work closely with the Playzone team to try and keep this valuable scheme in operation."

The Rev.Mervyn Gibson, Chair of the Ballymac Community Centre commented:

“I welcome this emergency funding package and look forward to working closely with Junior Minister Robin Newton MLA and the departmental officials in finding a long term solution to the viability of this project."