To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail the level of funding allocated to cross-community projects in the East Antrim area in each of the last three years.

The Housing Executive delivers neighbourhood renewal funding through the DSD Small Pockets of Deprivation programme to three areas in the East Antrim constituency - Greenisland estate, Sunnylands estate in Carrickfergus and Larne town centre areas. The Small Pockets of Deprivation Programme along with other programmes like Areas at Risk is often used to build capacity and begin to address inter and intra community relations. The Craigyhill/Antiville, Seacourt and Ferris Park areas of Larne have been included in the Areas at Risk programme and although funding is not specifically targeted to Cross Community projects, such activities are encouraged.

The Voluntary & Community Unit, through its Community Support Programme, works in partnership with local Councils to develop communities. The East Antrim constituency covers 3 district council areas, namely Larne, Carrickfergus and part of Newtownabbey. Two of these councils, namely Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus Borough Councils have allocated DSD community support programme monies to cross community projects and details are included in the table below.

The table also includes details of funding through the Voluntary & Community Unit’s Community Investment Fund Programme to Carrickfergus Community Forum and Larne Community Development Programme whose catchment areas are in the East Antrim Constituency. Whilst this programme’s emphasis is on building cohesive communities, again inter and intra community initiatives would be supported as part of the overall intervention.

The table below sets out funding details for the above programmes.