Murphy pledgesto help Destined get over arson

Mr. Murphy has instructed his department to work with the Department of Communities to assist the Derry learning disability charity after the attack a fortnight ago.

The Finance Minister who visited the North West Learning Disability Centre in the wake of the attack said it was doing inspiring work and deserved support.

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson asked him “whether he can provide Destined, an organisation that he met with that helps vulnerable adults, with some advice as to how it can get a temporary kitchen while it waits for repairs to take place following an appalling arson attack”.

He replied: “I was delighted to get the opportunity to visit that organisation. I am a great admirer of a range of social enterprise projects, particularly those that help very vulnerable people, as the Destined project does.

“You could not help but be inspired by visiting that project, talking to people and seeing their determination to overcome the setback caused by that thoughtless and cruel attack on the building.

“The response of the community in providing support to that project shows its value. I raised the issue with officials when I got back to the Department to try to ensure that, if it were possible to give any assistance to a project that provides such a valuable community service, they would do so.

“I know that they intended to speak to people in the Department for Communities to ensure that assistance is provided.”

Ms. Anderson, who raised the matter at Stormont this week, asked the minister if he was willing to relay the information to Destined so that it had a contact point for his office and that of the Department for Communities.

“I am sure that we can do that. As I said, I asked my officials to speak to people in the Department for Communities to ensure that they reach out to Destined.

“It provides a valuable community service and was the unfortunate victim of a criminal attack. We want to ensure that it continues to provide support. We will, of course, be in contact,” said Mr. Murphy.

After the break-in and arson attack on the Destined premises at the old Foyle Valley Railway museum on the Foyle Road on Saturday, February 29, the local community rallied round the charity and took part in a community clean-up to get it back up and running.

The charity said it was overwhelmed by the community response.

Established in August 2002, Destined seeks to address the needs of people with learning disabilities in a whole life context in Derry.