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Councils to share extra funding to tackle air pollution

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced nearly £200,000 of extra funding for councils to improve air quality. Picture by Ann McManus.
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced nearly £200,000 of extra funding for councils to improve air quality. Picture by Ann McManus. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced nearly £200,000 of extra funding for councils to improve air quality. Picture by Ann McManus.

TEN councils are to share almost £200,000 of funding to help them improve air quality.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has confirmed £192,000 for councils to enable "monitoring and assessment of air quality."

The DoE Environment Fund, which is providing the financial assistance, aims to support projects which monitor air and health quality and assist "sustainable economic development and access to the natural environment."

Belfast City Council is to receive the most funding, at almost £54,000, while Mid-Ulster District Council will collect just under £5,000.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is the only local authority which will not receive any extra funding.

Mr Durkan said: "The right to breathe clean air is something we cannot take for granted. Although air quality here in the north is generally good, emerging evidence is pointing to the harmful effects of even low levels of air pollution on our health."

"In a tough financial climate I pledged that I would try and find funding to continue to support environmental groups and projects across the north in the future."

The Environment minister added: "I commend councils for applying to the fund to improve air quality here in the north."