Allister welcomes announcement of pilot project for Rural Halls
01 September 2006
Jim Allister has welcomed the announcement of the pilot programme ‘Maximising Community Space’ which is funded from the Peace II programme and the International Fund for Ireland. The programme is being delivered by the Rural Development Council.
Jim Allister commented, “I welcome the announcement of the ‘Maximising the Community Space’ pilot programme which I believe will bring much needed investment to 30 rural halls throughout Northern Ireland. I have consistently lobbied for funding to be targeted towards rural halls including Church and Orange Halls. I am aware that many halls did apply to the Peace II extension programme but most failed to receive any funding. I lobbied the Rural Development Council for the introduction of a scheme for rural halls and I welcome the announcement of this scheme.
“The ‘Maximising Community Space’ programme is designed to promote good relations and improve infrastructure. The first part of the programme is a focused programme of development support for groups. The second part of the group is providing grants of up to £40,000 for improvement of hall facilities.
“I would encourage rural groups to apply to this fund which closes for applications on the 27 September. I have already been pressing Government for additional funds for the Programme and hope that this pilot programme can be extended to cater for more groups.”
