South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Ó Donnghaile supports protesting neighbourhood renewal workers

Published: 13 October, 2008

Sinn Féin representatives with staff from the Short Strand community centre

Sinn Féin representatives with staff from the Short Strand community centre

Sinn Féin's East Belfast Representative Niall Ó Donnghaile joined workers employed under neighbourhood renewal prtesting at Stormont today at DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie's lack of clarity around the future of their jobs.

Speaking at the protest Niall said,

"Today in the Assembly the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, refused to say whether jobs and services from Neighbourhood Renewal Projects would be lost.

What workers need to see if clarity from Margaret Ritchie over the security of their posts; this is particularly needed given the current econmic downturn and the difficulty that these workers will face.

Clarity is also needed in that many people will suffer immeasurably if these vital, community based services are not retained. They are the primary concern for the workers and the Minister must face up to the fact that her delay is causing deep concern and anxiety to the most vulnerable in our society."