Debate contribution: Communities in Transition: West Belfast
Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on .
- MLA
- Ms Aisling Reilly
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 26 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Communities in Transition: West Belfast
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5582681
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Since 2019, the Communities in Transition (CIT) project has been delivering targeted support in West Belfast through a range of interventions to help increase community resilience to paramilitarism and organised crime. With £5·5 million in investment to date, CIT has supported the community to tackle the real, hard-hitting issues caused by organised crime. That includes helping people affected by poor mental health and addiction; raising awareness of exploitation; working with young people to raise their aspirations and hope for the future; and addressing the impact of paramilitarism on the physical environment. Funding has also supported the transition of ex-prisoners through advocacy, access to employment and education and restorative community practices. Over the past year, CIT activity delivered by our delivery partners Extern, Community Restorative Justice (CRJ) Ireland and the Upper Springfield Development Trust in West Belfast has shown real progress through strong partnership working with local residents, the PSNI, the Housing Executive and other statutory agencies. During that period, approximately 1,500 people have engaged in CIT activities, including one-to-one and group interventions, community forums and other targeted activities. The evidence from the programme is now showing a real change in attitudes. There has been a 70% increase in people in the community feeling that they can influence decisions in their area and have their voices heard.
216 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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