Menu
22/10/2013
Call For Clarification On Social Investment Fund
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has called on the DUP and Sinn Fein to come to an agreement on the needs-based criteria against which the £80m Social Investment Fund will be allocated.
Mr Lyttle's comments come after a report by website, The Detail, reported that the budget had remained unspent due to a political dispute between the two main political parties. It is understood, however, that almost £400,000 of the fund has been spent on consultants.
Lyttle is a member of the East Belfast Social Investment Fund steering group.
He said: "This is an £80 million fund to help tackle deprivation and promote education, employment and health in our community and yet, as far as I am aware, two years on, not a penny has been released to projects.
"The Social Investment Fund has been hampered by a lack of transparency and information since its launch in March 2011 and there is now clearly an urgent need for the First and deputy First Minister to clarify what is going on for the benefit of the many community and voluntary sector groups hoping to make good use of this fund.
"While the DUP and Sinn Fein argue, many good community projects remain unfunded. OFMDFM need to communicate what is happening with this fund.
"It should be the responsibility of the First and deputy First Minister to help all areas of social deprivation regardless of background but it would seem the shared future rhetoric of the First Minister is already ringing hollow and projects across the community are in jeopardy as a result of an apparent insistence on a 'shared out' future approach to the social investment fund."
(JP/CD)
Mr Lyttle's comments come after a report by website, The Detail, reported that the budget had remained unspent due to a political dispute between the two main political parties. It is understood, however, that almost £400,000 of the fund has been spent on consultants.
Lyttle is a member of the East Belfast Social Investment Fund steering group.
He said: "This is an £80 million fund to help tackle deprivation and promote education, employment and health in our community and yet, as far as I am aware, two years on, not a penny has been released to projects.
"The Social Investment Fund has been hampered by a lack of transparency and information since its launch in March 2011 and there is now clearly an urgent need for the First and deputy First Minister to clarify what is going on for the benefit of the many community and voluntary sector groups hoping to make good use of this fund.
"While the DUP and Sinn Fein argue, many good community projects remain unfunded. OFMDFM need to communicate what is happening with this fund.
"It should be the responsibility of the First and deputy First Minister to help all areas of social deprivation regardless of background but it would seem the shared future rhetoric of the First Minister is already ringing hollow and projects across the community are in jeopardy as a result of an apparent insistence on a 'shared out' future approach to the social investment fund."
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 April 2002
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund. The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.
20 September 2010
Foster Welcomes Investment in Society
A significant boost for NI's 'social economy' has been warmly welcomed by a Stormont Executive Minister. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that the partnership that is offering social enterprises in Northern Ireland access to a £10m investment fund was good news.
Foster Welcomes Investment in Society
A significant boost for NI's 'social economy' has been warmly welcomed by a Stormont Executive Minister. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said that the partnership that is offering social enterprises in Northern Ireland access to a £10m investment fund was good news.
02 February 2023
St Comgall Transformed In Major Restoration Project
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Christina Black has visited St Comgall's on Divis Street to see how the former school has been transformed by a major restoration project.
St Comgall Transformed In Major Restoration Project
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Christina Black has visited St Comgall's on Divis Street to see how the former school has been transformed by a major restoration project.
29 July 2011
Community Development Expands In Omagh
A community building in Co Tyrone that received almost £300,000 from the Department of Social Development (DSD) Modernisation Fund Capital Programme is to significantly increase capacity and facilities for its 13 partner organisations.
Community Development Expands In Omagh
A community building in Co Tyrone that received almost £300,000 from the Department of Social Development (DSD) Modernisation Fund Capital Programme is to significantly increase capacity and facilities for its 13 partner organisations.
28 March 2023
EU Social Fund Organisations 'Facing A Cliff-Edge' – SF
Time is running out for groups funded by the European Social Fund who face a cliff-edge at the end of this week, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.
EU Social Fund Organisations 'Facing A Cliff-Edge' – SF
Time is running out for groups funded by the European Social Fund who face a cliff-edge at the end of this week, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
