The day after exposing expenditure of £50,000 per week by government on hospitality, TUV leader Jim Allister has hit out at OFMDFM’s almost 5% cut in grants already awarded to victim groups and the withdrawal of other facilities previously funded.
“I find it sickening that while the Stormont Executive presides over a 22% increase in hospitality spend in the last two years, vital support to victims is being slashed. And that by a department (OFMDFM) which won’t even disclose its hospitality spend. Once more victims are seen as an easy target.
“For a considerable period of time many groups representing innocent victims have expressed concerns to me about uncertainty surrounding their funding. Many of the groups operate using PEACE III funding from Europe which is shortly coming to an end.
“A letter and written question to OFMdFM when unanswered for a considerable period added to the anxiety both of people employed by the groups and those who avail of their services.
“Many were hoping that June monitoring would see a resolution of the situation but, as I pointed out last month when we finally saw a deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue, there was no news on money for victims.
“Groups throughout the country which provide invaluable services to innocent victims now face an uncertain future.
“Not only that but yesterday the Victims and Survivors Service announced that a number of schemes which were operated for individuals were being “deferred”. These included small grants to allow victims to avail of training courses and respite breaks. The amounts victims were eligible for under these schemes were always meagre and victims at the best of times often had to fight to obtain even that. However, now even this has been taken away from them. Victims currently undergoing complementary therapies are being told that VSS will honour payments only up until the end of August.
“In recent years innocent victims have found their voice and impacted upon the political process in a way not seen since the Belfast Agreement. The success of Ann’s Law, the shelving of the Maze Shrine and the stalling of the Haass process are all examples of this.
““While I appreciate there are serious pressures on the budget due to Sinn Fein’ stance on welfare reform it is my strong belief that innocent victims are regarded as an embarrassment and hindrance to the political process.”