Archive News

23/08/10 - Attwood announces funding for ‘Gannonball Run’
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood announced funding for Coalisland and Dungannon local residents to take part in the local Gannonball Run.

23/08/10 - Benefit fraud weekly review
Latest benefit fraud round-up review from the courts

19/08/10 - Attwood makes moves to crack down on irresponsible alcohol sales
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood outlined his plans to crack down on the escalating problem of harmful drinking.

18/08/10 - Northern Ireland must not be left out in the cold over proposed winter fuel cuts: Attwood
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, expressed his deep concern at plans by the Westminster government to leave many in Northern Ireland out in the cold.

17/08/10 - Attwood announces funding for Coalisland and Dungannon Education Programme
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood has announced funding of £165,000 to improve educational opportunities for children and young people in Coalisland and Dungannon.

11/08/10 - Attwood pledges commitment to his urban regeneration programme despite cuts
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood pledged that his Department would work hard to meet its urban regeneration commitments, despite suffering a major cut in his budget in June.

10/08/10 - Attwood announces £12,000 funding boost for Dunclug estate
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today announced funding for a summer programme for young people in the Dunclug estate in Ballymena.

09/08/10 - New Appointments to the Charities Advisory Committee
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today announced the of appointments Mr Deane Morrice MBE, as Chairman, Ms Juliana Sloan and Mr David Haslett as members of the Charities Advisory Committee.

06/08/10 - ‘A Leap of Faith’ for the Stewartstown Road
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood unveiled ‘Leap of Faith’, a specially designed sculpture for the Colin Gateway Environmental Improvement Scheme on the Stewartstown Road.

04/08/10 - Attwood opens new £1.4million Ballymote extension in Downpatrick
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA officially opened the new £1.4million extension to the Ballymote Centre, Downpatrick.

03/08/10 - Attwood announces £80,000 funding for parent and school together project in Ballymena
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA announced a funding package of £80,000 for a Parent and School Together Project for the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

03/08/10 - Attwood announces funding for youth project in Ballymena
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA announced a funding boost of £42,000 for a youth project in Ballymena.

03/08/10 - Attwood opens refurbished ‘Opportunity Youth’ offices
Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood has officially opened Opportunity Youth’s refurbished premises in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.

03/08/10 - Attwood opens refurbished social enterprise business
DSD Minister Alex Attwood today officially opened the newly refurbished Orchard Café, a social enterprise and community business, on the Malone Road, Belfast.

02/08/10 - Minister Attwood announces changes to Cold Weather Payment scheme
There will be more weather stations measuring the winter drop in temperature that determine how many people are entitled to a Cold Weather Payment.

30/07/10 - Attwood has deep concerns about welfare plans announced today
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA has deep concerns about what has been described today as ’the most radical overhaul of the welfare system in a century’.

30/07/10 - Landmark Access and Mobility Study published For Belfast City Centre
Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood and Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy today jointly launched an ‘access and mobility study’ for Belfast City Centre.

29/07/10 - New Jobs & Benefits Office bringing a dynamic and modernised service to Andersonstown
Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, and Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, officially opened the Jobs & Benefits office in Andersonstown.

28/07/10 - Attwood Opens Community Facilities in Portadown
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA, officially opened new community facilities in Portadown.

28/07/10 - Ross Street Flats to be demolished - Attwood
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced that he has decided that Ross Street flats in the Lower Falls area of Belfast should be demolished.

28/07/10 - Attwood unveils regeneration plans for Craigavon
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today unveiled a new framework outlining future proposals for the regeneration of the Craigavon area.

27/07/10 - Attwood gives practical support to Special Olympics Athletes
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today handed over keys to Special Olympics Ulster for a specially adapted van. More pics

21/07/10 - Attwood looks to the future for Ballynahinch
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood visited Ballynahinch to see at first hand the potential that exists for public realm improvements throughout the town centre.

21/07/10 - Attwood unveils plans to rejuvenate Downpatrick town centre
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood visited Downpatrick to launch a masterplan for the rejuvenation of the town centre.

21/07/10 - Attwood opens new housing in west Belfast
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood opened much needed family apartments at Clonard Gardens in West Belfast.

20/07/10 - Attwood applauds Kilcooley regeneration work
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today visited the Kilcooley Estate in Bangor to see at first hand the work being done to regenerate the area.

19/07/10 - London welfare reforms won't work in Northern Ireland - Attwood
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today met with Lord Freud who is responsible for Welfare Forum.

15/07/10 - Attwood announces funding boost for Enniskillen Neighbourhood Renewal
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA announced a £36,308 package to fund a Neighbourhood Renewal Co-ordinator for Enniskillen.

15/07/10 - Attwood announces a further £60,000 boost for Mullaghmore
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood announced over £60,000 funding for further environmental improvements within the Mullaghmore Estate in Omagh.

08/07/10 - Alex Attwood meets Shankill business and community leaders
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today visited the Greater Shankill area to hear at first hand issues facing local traders and community representatives.

07/07/10 - Attwood launches Carrickfergus town centre masterplan
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today unveiled a new town centre masterplan for Carrickfergus.

07/07/10 - Attwood opens housing for Holywell Hospital patients
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today opened a new housing scheme for former patients of Holywell Hospital.

02/07/10 - DSD Permanent Secretary visits regeneration work in Ballyclare
Will Haire, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Social Development (DSD) visited Ballyclare today to see the significant regeneration work funded by the Department.

01/07/10 - Banbridge Blueprint welcomed by Attwood
Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood visited Banbridge today to launch a new blueprint for the future development of the town

01/07/10 - Attwood gives 'Green' light to new homes for Holywood
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today announced plans to invest £6million for the redevelopment of housing in the West Green area of Holywood.

01/07/10 - Curtain up' at new Curzon homes says Attwood
It was lights, camera, action today as Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood MLA, officially opened the new Curzon apartment complex in Belfast.

30/06/10 - Attwood announces Portadown development opportunity
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has called on developers to register their interest for the purchase and regeneration of the vacant Curran Street site in Portadown.

30/06/10 - Newtownards town centre masterplan unveiled by Attwood
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood today visited Newtownards to launch a masterplan for the town centre

29/06/10 - Minister praises Colin Neighbourhood Partnership
Alex Attwood, Minister for Social Development, today praised the work of the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and its forward thinking approach to regeneration.

29/06/10 - Omagh Town Centre Development Sites
The Department for Social Development (DSD) has commissioned a team of specialists to assess the development potential of a number of opportunity sites within Omagh town centre.

28/06/10 - Attwood urges benefit uptake as budget cuts hit homes
People in Northern Ireland could be missing out on thousands of pounds worth of benefits that they are entitled to.

28/06/10 - Warm Healthier Homes
A Consultation Paper on a new Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland has been published today.

23/06/10 - Attwood reveals new masterplan for Antrim town centre
Alex Attwood, Minister for Social Development, launches the Antrim town centre masterplan.

18/06/10 - Attwood calls for public views on regeneration of Glengormley
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today has called on the people of Glengormley to give their views on proposals for the regeneration of their town centre.

18/06/10 - Attwood calls for public views on regeneration of Ballyclare
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has called on the people of Ballyclare to give their views on proposals for the regeneration of the town centre.

17/06/10 Attwood gives support to Enniskillen volunteers
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood visited Enniskillen to launch the local Neighbourhood Renewal Volunteering Report.

17/06/10 - Minister opens doors for homeless in Enniskillen
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood opened newly renovated premises for First Housing Aid and Support Services (FHASS) in Queen Street Enniskillen.

17/06/10 - Attwood clears the way for 200 homes at former military base
Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood is helping to create a better future for all, with new homes at a former barracks site in Enniskillen.

17/06/10 - New Jobs and Benefits office bringing a dynamic and modified service to Ballymena
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, and Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, officially open the Jobs & Benefits office in Ballymena.

16/06/10 - Attwood delivers £0.5million sports boost for Lurgan
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood officially opened new facilities at the Taghnevan Sports Complex in Lurgan.

16/06/10 - Lurgan children will benefit from new play area - Attwood
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood officially opened a new playground and sensory garden at the Naiscoil Chois Locha Irish Language Nursery School in Lurgan

14/06/10 - Record year for neighbourhood renewal funding in the North West
Organisations in the North West have benefited from £7million Neighbourhood Renewal funding in the past year, Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced.

14/06/10 - Attwood to give businesses more power to improve town centres
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood announced that he will take forward new legislation to give greater powers to businesses to improve our town centres.

12/06/10 - Attwood opens Newry sports pitch
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood officially opened a new £260,000 synthetic sports pitch at High Street, Newry.

11/06/10 - Attwood enjoys a cuppa in new kitchen scheme in West Belfast
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, joined the residents in New Barnsley, West Belfast to celebrate the completion of a kitchen replacement scheme.

09/06/10 - Attwood officially opens Ballycastle Gateways
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, visited Ballycastle today to officially open the towns new Gateways.

09/06/10 - Attwood launches new housing for Bangor
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood officially started the building work of a £6.4million housing scheme for active older people in Bangor.

07/06/10 - Attwood celebrates supported housing for older people
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood was reminded that ‘home is where the heart is’, when he met one of Belfast’s oldest citizens.

04/06/10 - Attwood launches world’s largest powerboat race in Belfast
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today officially launched the Belfast Zapcat Racing Grand Prix in Belfast for the first time. Event pics

03/06/10 - Attwood - Construction award puts ‘Belfast Streets Ahead’
Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood MLA, today congratulated Farrans (Construction) Ltd, on their latest award for their work on the 'Belfast Streets Ahead' project.

03/06/10 - Full steam ahead for Shared Neighbourhoods says Attwood
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today waved a flag for the future as he welcomed the Shared Neighbourhood steam train into Coleraine. (Event in Pictures)

02/06/10 - Attwood unveils plans to transform Larne
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA launches the town centre Masterplan for Larne

28/05/10 - Shankill Road Jobs & Benefits Office
Attwood commends staff in Shankill Jobs & Benefits Office following shootingast today

26/05/10 - Attwood opens new social housing at Pottingers Quay
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has opened a new housing development of 27 family apartments at Pottinger’s Quay in East Belfast today

26/05/10 - Attwood launches new vision for Dungannon town centre
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today visited Dungannon to launch the newly completed masterplan for the town centre.

21/05/10 - Northern Ireland Housing Executive board members announced
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie announced appointments to the board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

21/05/10 - Margaret Ritchie's Achievements
Margaret Ritchie's last day as Minister of DSD is Friday 21 May 2010. See some of her achievements while in office.

20/05/10 - Ritchie announces funding for community centre in Crumlin
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a funding boost for a new youth and community centre in Crumlin.

20/05/10 - Ritchie announces £38 million boost for housing in North Belfast
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie announced plans to invest £38 million for brand new homes in North Belfast.

19/05/10 - New education facility opens in Newry
The facility, which has been funded by the Department for Social Development, provides a local venue for adults wishing to avail of further education opportunities and for pupils using out of schools hours learning.

17/05/10 - Ritchie heralds a new era for clubs
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie revealed proposals that will improve the trading environment for many of Northern Ireland’s Registered Clubs.

13/05/10 - New Minister - Alex Attwood
West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood is expected to take up his new role within days. Speaking after accepting his new job at the Stormont Executive, Mr Attwood said he was, "Grateful and honoured".

13/05/10 - Housing makeover for former Mersey Street School
Mersey Street Primary School is to be transformed into modern, family homes thanks to a new housing initiative from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie.

07/05/10 - River Lagan Notices
For information on events and plans to lower the River Lagan see the latest bulletins; numbers 10, 11 and 12 of 2010.

Archived News