06/04/2005

NI Social Fund gets £1.3m boost

The Department for Social Development today announced a £1.34 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social Fund, which will provide extra support for some of the most needy people in society.

Announcing the discretionary Social Fund budget for 2005/2006, the Department said that a total of £59.59 million will be available for those people who need help and support.

The total includes £46.17 million for Social Fund loans, an increase of £0.66million over last year. The amount available for grants has also increased by £68,000.

The Social Fund, which helps people on low incomes with expenses that are difficult to meet from their regular income, has two elements.

The first is the Discretionary Fund budget which is funded by the Department of Finance and Personnel, and covers Budgeting Loans, Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants.

The second is the Regulated Fund which covers Funeral Payments, Sure Start Maternity Grants, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments.

(MB/SP)

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.
18 December 2003
Record numbers benefit from social fund
A record number of people have benefited from more than £59 million paid out by the Social Fund over the last year, Social Development Minister, John Spellar has said.
21 April 2004
NI social fund gets £1.65m boost
A further £1.65 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social Fund will provide extra support for some of the most needy people in society, Minister for Social Development, John Spellar said today.
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.
16 October 2007
EU-Cash Aims To Boost NI Labour Market
A package of projects aimed at helping people into sustainable employment prospects has been highlighted at the NI Assembly, with a view to addressing the needs of those most disadvantaged in the labour market.