Inner city funding boost 

THE North East Inner City (NEIC) received a major boost recently with news that it is to be allocated €2.5 million to help fund local initiatives.  

Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring and Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe launched the €5 million RAPID Programme which is focused on tackling social exclusion in disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns.

Half of the allocation will go to the North East Inner City.

The announcement was made in the Dublin City Council Library on Charleville Mall in the North Strand.

This is one of the locations for the Home from Home Learning Programme which is one of the initiatives funded by RAPID in the north inner city.

Speaking at the event, Minister Donohoe said: “This additional funding allows RAPID programmes, such as Home from Home Learning, which takes place in the North Strand, to be further developed so that they are better able to meet the needs of the communities they are designed to serve.

“Strengthening supports around the families who need them enables people to better cope with daily life and the challenges that may present. 

“Whether it is improving learning outcomes for children or equipping parents with improved parental skills, programmes such as this provide valuable tools for all members of the community.” 

Minister Donohoe said the North East Inner City has been the focus of targeted Government attention in the last number of years, in a way it never was before. 

“The NEIC Ministerial Task Force, targeted funding and the appointment of Michael Stone to lead the Programme Implementation Board for the North East Inner City Initiative has resulted in real progress being made and supports being delivered to this vibrant and welcoming community,” he added.  

“The funding being announced for this part of Dublin Central will, among other things, go towards cross-community cohesion initiatives, public awareness drug campaigns and providing guidance to our younger people to give them a better chance in the years ahead.”

Meawnhile, Minister Ring said he was delighted to be able to announce the launch of the RAPID Programme and deliver on this key commitment in the Programme for Government. 

“RAPID provides support to groups which are tackling social exclusion and helps improve the quality of life for residents in disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns across the country,” said Minister Ring at the launch.