A plan for a massive £100 million (€147 million) regeneration of West Belfast and the Greater Shankill areas was submitted to the British government today.
The scheme, produced by a group drawn from the task forces for the two areas, singles out economic, educational, social and cultural issues for attention. The task forces were established in 2001.
The proposals include a special task force for the education of children and young people; projects aimed at improving employability and earning prospects through new training investments and a number of projects directly linked to efforts to provide jobs.
There will also be schemes to improve and regenerate the living and business environment along major roads, including parts of the Falls Road, Shankill Road, Crumlin Road and Springfield Road.
A plan for the development of a Gaeltacht area in West Belfast and the refurbishment of Conway Mill is also included.