29 June 2000
NIGEL DODDS OPENS DUNDRUM HOLIDAY COMPLEX
Despite its picturesque coastal setting and proximity to the Mournes, Dundrum is a disadvantaged area, the Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds MLA, said today.
The Minister was officially opening an £825,000 holiday development - funded jointly by the Department for Social Development and the International Fund for Ireland - which aims to boost the tourism potential of the County Down village.
Consisting of eight holiday apartments and a restaurant, the initiative has been led by the Dundrum Development Association and is part of the Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme (CRISP).
The Minister said: "Over the years Dundrum has not benefited from the growth of tourism in the nearby Newcastle area. But the opening of this fine new building presents an opportunity to change for the better.
"Tourism and the revenue that it can generate has great potential to help re-generate disadvantaged areas. This injection of two thirds of a million pounds by my Department and the Fund will, I hope, lead to benefits throughout the village.
"I congratulate Dundrum Development Association on their efforts and enterprise. I understand that further funding has also been secured from Leader, the Mourne Heritage Trust and some from the local community.
"The package also brings £100,000 for environmental improvements and £140,000 for improvement to commercial property.
"This demonstrates that partnership is the vital ingredient in ensuring that community-driven regeneration succeeds."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme (CRISP) provides funding for community-led property redevelopment and environmental improvement sin towns and villages of less than 10,000 population.
- Tonn Ruray restaurant and Dundrum Bay Holiday Homes are Dundrum Development Association's core project under CRISP.