More than 50 charities and community organisations in Northern Ireland have called for more financial support from the government after a £3.6m scheme had its funding halved.
The group wrote an open letter headed by Children in Northern Ireland, a charity and umbrella body for the children’s sector, to health minister Robin Swann last week regarding the Core Grant Funding Scheme.
The scheme was opened in October 2022 and, according to the Department of Health, provides financial support for organisations “which either deliver front-line services based on identified need or provide central support services, which are in line with DoH strategic and policy objectives”.
But cuts to the 2023/24 budget resulted in the available funding being halved to £1.8m during the two-year period while there was no power-sharing agreement at Stormont.
The open letter reads: “The funding was cut by 50 per cent in 2023 in the absence of ministers, which led to staff redundancies, reductions in services and some organisations no longer able to operate.
“Children in Northern Ireland’s survey of core-funded organisations in 2023 showed that 62 per cent would risk collapsing if the grant scheme ceased in 2024/25.
“Collectively, the community and voluntary sector are asking the minister and his department to properly value the care, support and advocacy that organisations provide for the most vulnerable people in society.”
The charities said without their “specialist knowledge”, the government would not be able to properly support people in need.
Swann met CiNI on 30 April and, while the charity thanked the minister for engaging, it said it was “disappointing that the minister and his department have yet to make a decision on core funding”.
Pauline Leeson, chief executive of Children in Northern Ireland, said: “Despite the difficulties faced by the minister in terms of the allocation for the Department of Health, core-funded organisations and the vulnerable groups in society that they support cannot wait any longer for a decision to be made.
“It is time to prioritise resources towards support and services for those most in need; and ensure the sustainability of those community groups and charities that contribute so much to our wider health and social care system.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “Unfortunately, the warnings issued by the minister and department about budgetary pressures are materialising on multiple fronts.
“There are sadly many very desirable and commendable projects seeking funding that is simply not available.
“Once the 2024/2025 budget is agreed, the minister will be in a position to consider the availability of funding for the core grant scheme.”
– This article was updated on 2 May 2024 to include a comment from the Department of Health