16/12/2021

Funding Announced To Improve Wages In Voluntary And Community Sectors

Additional funding has been announced to help improve the wages and conditions of workers in the Voluntary and Community Sectors.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "The Voluntary and Community Sector organisations have served their communities with professionalism and have shown both innovation and a readiness to adapt services to meet the new challenges that have arisen.

"The value of the sector has not always been recognised through the level of financial support made available. I have listened to the sector's concerns about their ability to improve terms and conditions for their employees, which has been constrained by funding approaches.

"I have changed this. This significant funding package will enable those organisations directly funded by my Department to improve the terms and conditions for their employees, something that is long overdue."

The Minister concluded: "The Voluntary and Community sector is critical. The changes I have introduced will ensure Real Living Wage rates, increased funding to support salary uplifts, increased employer pension contributions and funding for sick pay for VCS posts directly funded by this department."

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