Clady too small toqualify for DSDregeneration cash

CLADY and Castlederg are disqualified from regeneration funded by the Department of Social Development because it’s too small and rural, according to the Minister Nelson McCausland.

He explained: “Villages such as Clady, with populations of around 500 people, are defined as rural Small Villages or Hamlets and as such the Department is unable to provide them with funding from any of its regeneration programmes. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for rural regeneration.”

The same applies to Castlederg despite its larger size. The Minister said: “Castlederg is defined as a rural Intermediate Settlement with a population of 2,739 and as such it cannot benefit from any of the Department’s current regeneration programmes.” Officials from DSD and DARD are exploring integration opportunities.