A Stormont scheme to support the "greening" of alleyways has not issued any funding 18 months after its launch.
The initiative was announced by the Department for Infrastructure in January 2021 to help residents improve the urban spaces through planting and reduce anti-social behaviour.
It followed a number of community-led projects being widely praised during the Covid-19 pandemic for transforming alleyways into shared outdoor spaces.
Read more: Stormont department to fund ‘greening’ of Northern Ireland alleyways
But the Infrastructure Minister has confirmed that no funding has been allocated since the alleyway greening scheme was announced early last year.
Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd, who succeeded the SDLP's Nichola Mallon in the ministerial role in May, said: "Officials have been engaging with Belfast City Council to develop proposals, however no funding has been allocated to date."
The delay was confirmed in response to a written Assembly question submitted by DUP East Belfast MLA David Brooks.
He called for greater action from the minister and raised concerns that unresolved land ownership issues were preventing some alleyways from being properly maintained by public agencies.
The MLA said: "There are huge issues across Belfast, but particularly in areas such as Sydenham where no landowner can be identified for certain alleyways. No agency or department will take responsibility and residents cannot get them cleaned, they must take bins through their house to be emptied and pest control cannot even be carried out.
"I have been raising this issue since 2018 and there needs to be action taken. Whilst the 'greening' of alleyways is obviously desirable and may provide better photo opportunities for a minister, the issue of unadopted alleyways needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
"It is difficult to generate community pride in an alleyway that cannot be cleaned or maintained properly because no owner can be identified. Similarly these alleys cannot benefit from the alley gate scheme because of this, leaving them more vulnerable to anti-social behaviour and crime.
"Even on his own terms the minister must accept there is a need for action."
In his written response, Mr O'Dowd said funding for alleyway greening would be "available irrespective of whether the site has been adopted by my department".
He added: "I fully support local community efforts to improve the appearance of back entries and other similar spaces within their areas with the objective being to enhance community pride, reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the general area."
The Department for Infrastructure said councils were invited to scope opportunities and submit proposals for funding from the alleyway 'greening' scheme.
A spokeswoman said: "It was expected that it would take time to identify suitable projects and as such it was always intended for this to be an ongoing programme, subject to available budget, rather than a time-limited scheme.
"DfI officials have been working closely with councils to develop plans to ensure that proposals meet the criteria for funding and work will continue with councils."
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