SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
This much needed support will enable the reopening of the second phase of the Charities Fund from 6 to 22 January 2021.
However, Mr Durkan has called for flexibilities to enable this funding to be utilised beyond the approaching end of the financial year.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The reopening of the Charities Fund is a welcome and necessary move. Eligible charities can apply for funding up to £75,000 including those who availed of support during the first phase.
“The Charity Sector have played an invaluable role within our communities from the outset of the pandemic.
“But as we near the end of a challenging year, we are faced with the stark reality that many charities are struggling to support themselves and their staff, let alone service users.
“Listening to testimony from representatives within the Sector at Communities Committee last week, they laid bare the tightrope many charities are currently walking.
“Eye-watering amounts of money is being lost and reserves are dwindling- as such charities are being forced to cut costs, redundancies are imminent and their viability is decreasing by the day.
“But this comes down to much more than reduced income for the Sector, it’s about vital services and their desperate service users being under threat which could have massive repercussions for society.
“The Charity Sector have been a lifeline to date, the threat of closure is not an option given the profound need in the months ahead as the full consequences of the Covid crisis are realised.
“Therefore, the reopening of the Charities Fund comes at a critical juncture.
“However, I hope the Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín will explore flexibilities around spend given how close we are to the end of the financial year – similar to those afforded to the Community and Voluntary Sector funding back in March.
“It is crucial that we consider creative possibilities for this financial assistance to ensure charities can make the most of this money and in doing so, ensure protections for society’s most vulnerable,” added Mr Durkan.
