14 September 2001

MINISTERS FARREN AND DURKAN LAUNCH EDUCATION FLAGSHIP IN DERRY

Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Sean Farren and Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Mark Durkan today jointly launched the Northside Development Flagship Facility in Derry City.

This unique development is a state-of-the-art Education/Training facility, based in Shantallow, a recognised area of social need within Derry and which is dedicated to the creation of employment across the City as a whole.

Derry Northside Development Trust, which leads this innovative project, will provide the facilities for the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education to deliver education and training programmes.

Officially opening the facility, Minister Farren said: "I would like to acknowledge the unique collaboration between the Northside Development Trust and North West Institute, which has resulted in the establishment of this wonderful flagship education facility.

"My Department’s administration of European financial assistance to this project and our continued support has assisted greatly in the development of this state of the art facility which will help bring education and lifelong learning firmly into focus within the local community."

He continued by saying: "The growth of community based education, as in this project, is essential in terms of meeting the lifelong learning agenda and community needs by offering a wide range of programmes both vocational and non vocational."

Also welcoming the new facility Minister Durkan, who is responsible for the European Funding Programme, said: "The Northside Flagship Project illustrates the very best of what can be achieved by the imaginative use of European Funding at a grass-roots level.

"This is a much-needed resource in the Shantallow area, where recent deprivation indicators confirmed its priority for investment. This investment has been met by a joint response from the community and public bodies acting together in a spirit of partnership to deliver a valuable education and training facility for the local people."

Mr Durkan also confirmed a new round of European Structural Funds is already underway. This new round includes a Peace II Programme and District Partnerships and Local Strategy Partnerships are being established in each district council area.

Minister Durkan said: "I know the Derry Local Strategy Partnership is in the final stages of its formation and the Intermediary Funding Bodies have been identified and will be able to start issuing calls for projects over the next 4-6 weeks. I hope we can replicate the benefits of this facility across other communities throughout Northern Ireland and the Border Regions. The Northside Flagship Project sends a message of hope to other communities that great strides can be made when you combine a determined and resourceful community such as Shantallow with a strong innovative partner, such as the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education."

Media enquiries to Kevin Mulhern, DEL Press Office, 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523 or Anne Williamson, DFP Press Office, 028 9052 1197 or mobile 07876 210935.